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
Project quality is a unique aspect of project management. The stakeholders are disappointed if the project does not meet the minimum quality standards, but achieving more than the standard is a waste of project resources and money. On top of that, the minimum quality standards are often difficult to define and subject to stakeholder whims, such... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Six Sigma is a hot buzzword these days, but what is it and how does it really work? In this article I will give you a quick overview and get you grounded to see if it will help you. In reality it takes a week long intensive course to get all the concepts, and requires... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Six Sigma is a program to increase product quality in a production process. It is ideally suited to manufacturing processes which produce high volumes of products, but the concepts are relevant to any industry. Even in our engineering consulting firm, Six Sigma concepts are quite valuable to assessing and improving the quality of reports and... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Six Sigma is a program to increase product quality in a production process. It is ideally suited to manufacturing processes which produce high volumes of products, but the concepts are relevant to any industry. Even in our engineering consulting firm, Six Sigma concepts are quite valuable to assessing and improving the quality of reports and... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Six Sigma is a technique used to reduce defects in the manufacturing process. Although it was originally developed for the manufacturing industry, it can be used to improve any business process by using data and statistical analysis to reduce mistakes, rework, and waste. I've found that my six sigma certification (black belt) has helped me... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
I listened to a presentation recently where the speaker suggested that the highest quality producer is usually the lowest cost one. Can that be true? And if so, how do you become part of that club? The Cost of Quality (COQ), sometimes called Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) is a measure of the cost of... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
If you're a manager interested in increasing the bottom line, you can't afford not to investigate Six Sigma. The benefits are indisputable, as witnessed by the infamous Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, who claimed Six Sigma was directly responsible for $1 billion in yearly savings. But should you implement Six Sigma? Here are... [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
At the engineering firm I founded, we've recently seen an increase in RFP's (Requests For Proposal) that include project management as a consultant selection criteria, in one form or another. Not just as a "nice to have" criteria, but as one of the scores that factor in the selection of the consultant. Now, more than... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Project quality is the silent force in project management, often overshadowed by the loud demands of time and budget, yet capable of derailing success just as swiftly. While deadlines and costs dominate the spotlight, neglecting quality can quietly undermine a project, leading to costly rework, unhappy stakeholders, or outright failure. Complicating matters further, quality standards... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
Sometimes referred to as continual improvement, continuous improvement is the ongoing improvement of products and services, or even processes, through […] The post Achieving Continuous Improvement in Project Quality appeared first on Parallel Project Training.| Parallel Project Training
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
Everyone has stories of quality problems and the anxiety they cause: The assembly line is down, a customer complained about the product, or the report missed an important element. In that moment the only thing that matters is that someone didn't achieve the quality expectations. But the very presence of defective products is not inherently... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
So you want to introduce Six Sigma into your organization. Congratulations! Thousands of organizations have walked this path and found not just gold at the end of the rainbow, but satisfied employees, improved morale, and other benefits. When it comes to driving efficiency, slashing errors, and boosting quality, few approaches rival Six Sigma. This data-driven methodology... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
If you’ve ever wondered how to take your problem-solving skills to the next level or boost your career with a standout credential, Six Sigma certification might be the answer. This globally recognized qualification isn’t just for engineers or factory managers—it’s for anyone eager to master a methodical approach to improving processes and delivering results. But... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
In a world where efficiency and quality can make or break a business, Six Sigma stands out as a proven approach to getting things right. It was developed by Motorola during the 1980's and subsequently adopted and popularized by General Electric (GE) during the 1990's. GE's famous CEO Jack Welch, a chemical engineer, implemented it throughout... [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
For engineers like me, 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. If non-engineering professions followed this practice, many project quality issues would be solved. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) values... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
It's not hard to find projects which were delivered on time and budget, with stakeholders satisfied in every other respect except for the poor quality of the project's deliverables. Usually, this factor alone causes projects to be considered a failure. Quality isn’t just a buzzword in project management—it’s the difference between a deliverable that dazzles... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
A single poor quality deliverable can not only create an issue with the customer, but initiate an internal cycle of poor quality culture—rippling through teams, eroding trust, and setting a precedent that’s hard to shake. That’s why project quality control isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a safeguard for reputation and morale alike. Luckily, project management... [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
In the world of project management, the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) highlights quality as a critical pillar of the Delivery Performance Domain. Most projects focus the lion's share of their efforts on time and cost. Project managers regularly land in the lion's den when they overlook the third vital component of the project triangle: ... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer
To external parties, a project is defined by its deliverables. They are not just some relatively important part of the project, they are the project. They are also the measuring stick by which the success of the project, and by extension the competence of the project manager, are measured. For a word so important to... [Read More]| ProjectEngineer