Performing quality assurance ensures that the processes are in place to produce the project deliverables at the applicable level of quality. Normally called QA, it is the process of auditing and analyzing the systems which produce a product in order to improve their quality. It should not be confused with Quality Control, which is a... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Quality assurance and quality control—two terms that often trip up even seasoned pros, with lines between them blurry enough to spark debate. But here’s the good news: there is a distinction, and once it clicks, you’ll wonder how you ever mixed them up. Let’s dive in and unravel the difference that can transform how you... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Are you unsure how you will obtain the quality of your project deliverables? Or what standards you need to measure against? Quality is one of the most important aspects of project management, and the production of a Quality Management Plan could be the answer you need. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project quality assurance is one out of three parts of a larger project quality system that ensures the project deliverables meet the planned quality standards. The other two are quality planning and quality control. Notice that the goal is not to produce the highest quality deliverables, only that the deliverables meet the quality standards in... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Quality isn't free. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) suggests that the Cost of Quality is usually around 15 - 20% of sales, often as high as 40% in some organizations. From the resources spent preventing mistakes to the fallout of fixing them, the cost of quality shapes how businesses operate and compete. Far from being... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
For us engineers, quality is a big deal. Industry standard quality control dictates that most documents and designs require a "second stamp" i.e. a reviewer who takes as much responsibility as the designer. But what does a true project quality management plan look like? In this article, I will talk about project quality from the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A Project Deliverable is a product or service that a project produces for its customer, client, or project sponsor. It is what the project "delivers" to its stakeholders. A project deliverable is more than just a buzzword; it’s the concrete result—like a finished report, a working prototype, or a launched website—that signals progress or completion. ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive world, businesses are constantly searching for an edge—something that sets them apart from the pack. While data, technology, and explicit strategies often take center stage, there’s a hidden gem that many overlook: tacit knowledge. This elusive, unwritten expertise—think of it as the "know-how" that lives in the minds of your team—can... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Most projects require some form of external purchasing (procurement) in order to meet their goals. Executing these procurements to fulfill the needs of the project falls under the knowledge area of Project Procurement Management. Contractors usually have better expertise or experience and can provide a higher quality product. But often they are not motivated by the same... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Many project managers have executed the technical work to perfection only to find out that stakeholders were not satisfied because communication was poor. Thus, project communication is sometimes more important than the technical work. Of course, the project manager needs to communicate when unexpected events occur. That's the domain of project risk management. But the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In some industries, risk analysis as a subset of project management is virtually non-existent. Project management is usually focused on cost and schedule, and delivering projects "on time, on budget" sometimes feels like the only criteria. But as a project manager, there's nothing that makes you sleep at night better than knowing you've got the... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer