Quality management strategy defines the quality techniques and standards that are applicable for a project. It also specifies the roles and responsibilities that help in achieving the desired quality levels. In PRINCE2, the focus is on the ability of a product to meet the requirements. The principle of “product focus” is important to PRINCE2’s approach towards quality. This helps you understand the scope of the project and the criteria against which its quality would be assessed. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner course will execute PRINCE2 QA in an effective manner.
In this article, you will have a clear understanding of PRINCE2 QA (Quality Assurance) and the Quality Management Approach.
What is the Prince2 Quality Management Approach?
The quality Management Approach elaborates on the method through which the project’s quality would be managed. It includes the techniques, processes, procedures, responsibilities, and standards related to it. Usually, a template is created by the organization that doesn’t need to be changed regularly (only minor changes, if required).
Learn more about the quality management approach through a PRINCE2 foundation course.
The document that is created at the initial stage becomes an important part of the Project Initiation Document. PRINCE2 QA also lays out different responsibilities of the project members to achieve the desired quality levels throughout the project. It commonly answers the following questions –
- Which quality standards have to be used?
- Which quality management system will be used (supplier, customer, or mix)?
- Which tools and techniques are to be involved?
- How will be the quality assurance performed?
- Who will be responsible for the documentation of customers’ acceptance and quality expectations criteria?
- Who will be responsible for the approval of the quality management approach, quality assurance, and confirmation of the acceptance of a project product?
- Records related to the timing and requirement of quality activities.
What is Quality Management Strategy?
Quality Management Strategy is an important part of the PRINCE2 QA. It is prepared during the project process initiation and approved afterward by the project board.
The strategy is accepted as the proposal of a project management team in response to the customers’ acceptance and quality expectations criteria. The features of Quality Management Strategy are that it –
- Explicitly describes the way the participating organization’s quality management system would be applied to a particular project and confirms the quality standards, techniques, procedures, and tools used.
- It also outlines the method in which the models and standards have to be customized for approval.
- Provides a method through which the formality levels will be applied to the quality plans.
- Methods through which control measures can be agreed upon and scaled according to the requirement of a project.
- It creates a blueprint o g the arrangement for quality assurance, such as independent audits.
- Key responsibilities of the quality are defined within and outside of the project management team.
- If the quality management system is already established for the project, only the measurement specifics have to be documented.
- Quality management strategy is maintained throughout the life of the project and is subject to change control.
Who Takes Care of Quality Assurance in PRINCE2?
Taking care of the PRINCE2 QA is an important aspect of any project. This role is majorly performed by the Project Manager. He ensures that effective quality planning and control are carried out throughout the project.
Sound processes have to be followed while taking care of quality assurance. If there are pre-determined guidelines at the organizational level, those have to be followed properly.
The process involves the following steps –
- The project team lays down the quality processes that have to be followed effectively to plan the quality. It includes defining the quality targets and criteria.
- The project team controls the quality. It compares the quality of actual results with the goals.
- In case of deviations, preventive measures and corrective actions are performed.
PRINCE2 explains the criteria for quality that helps in understanding the activities that have to be performed within a particular project. But it is advisable to seek help from an expert of quality resources to make it practical.
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Purpose of Quality Assurance in PRINCE2
One of the core principles of PRINCE2 QA is “Manage by Exception”. Here, every management level delegates authority to the lower level. If the lower level is unable to handle the pressure, it escalates the issues.
The project board (highest authority level) delegates some responsibilities to the project manager and he is expected to escalate the important issues. Although, the board members need to be assured that everything is smoothly running at the managerial level.
The purpose of quality assurance is not only to focus on the project but quality within the organization as well.
The Three Elements of Quality Assurance are –
Objectives: Objectives are related to the business strategy and goals.
Specifications: Specifications describe the method to convert the goals into particular actions for every job role.
Measurement: Measurement is a part of quality assurance that provides a connection between realization and projections.
Quality Assurance can be –
- External – When the quality standards require approval, audit, or authorization from an external person.
- Internal – When the company defines its quality standards. This is an informal method of quality assurance as it doesn’t get a certification from the government agency. But it still holds signification for the organization.
If you fail to perform quality assurance from your end, you might receive it from the customers in the form of poor feedback or failed product.
How to Ensure Quality Assurance in a Project?
If you are the Project Manager, it is your responsibility as a leader is to –
- Introduce quality within the hiring process
- Define the quality requirements in every job role
- Set the guidelines regarding the quality in task performance
- Indulge into regular self-checks for the personal quality assurance
- Prioritize quality within the business strategy
- Interconnect the project workflows with quality standards
- Measure the outcomes regularly to ensure that the progress matches the plan
From the above-mentioned points, it is clear that quality insurance may not be a priority, but it is a strategic goal to confirm progress.
Applying the Approach
Most businesses introduce the quality assurance manager in their teams, especially while working on a complex project. For instance, a software quality assurance with various stakeholders requires a QA analyst who would keep everyone up to their tasks. The analyst will define the quality standards, especially when it is related to technical know-how so that everyone is accountable for their actions.
When you have to keep an eye on multiple tasks, it is important to hire a QA manager. Not having one can cost an organization its project, goodwill, and client.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a quality management strategy in PRINCE2?
A quality management strategy is prepared at the initial stage of a project process. It is approved by the Project Board and defines the right project approach. It is generally regarded as the proposal by a project management team in response to the quality acceptance and expectation of the customer.
2. How many management stages should a PRINCE2 project consist of?
A PRINCE2 project is planned stage-by-stage and it includes a minimum of two management stages – Initiation and Management. The last part of the 2nd stage is The Closing where the project comes to an end.
3. What are the 26 management products in PRINCE2?
PRINCE2 has two types of products – specialized and management. The management products are created for the support of specialized products. The 26 management products in PRINCE2 are –
- Benefits management approach
- Business case
- Change control approach
- Checkpoint report
- Communication management approach
- Configuration item record
- Daily log
- End project report
- End-stage report
- Exception report
- Highlight report
- Issue register
- Issue report
- Lessons log
- Lessons report
- Plan (covers project plans, stage plans, exception plans, and optionally, team plans)
- Product description
- Product status account
- Project brief
- Project initiation documentation (PID)
- Project product description
- Quality management approach
- Quality register
- Risk management approach
- Risk register
- Work package
