Guide to Understanding Quality Improvement Methods

Quality Improvement Methods are pivotal tools in the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition. These methods are crucial for any project manager to ensure the highest quality of results in any given project.

Why it is important: Quality Improvement Methods allow project teams to systematically analyze processes, identify inefficiencies, and rectify them. This continual improvement not only ensures project success, but also enhances team efficiency and effectiveness.

What it is: Quality Improvement Methods, as per PMBOK, include techniques such as Plan-Do-Check-Act cycles, Six Sigma, Lean, and other statistical quality control techniques. These techniques focus on refining processes and reducing defects.

How it works: Quality Improvement methods involve a systematic approach where potential problems are identified, solutions are implemented, results are analyzed, and corrective actions are taken, if necessary. The process is then repeated to ensure ongoing improvement.

How to answer questions in an exam: Understanding the core concepts and application of various Quality Improvement Methods is crucial. Read questions thoroughly and pay close attention to details. Exam questions can range from identifying which quality improvement method is being used in a given scenario, to determining the next step in a quality improvement cycle.

Exam Tips: Remember that improvement methods are always applied to processes, not people. Also, the goal of any improvement method is process optimization rather than fault finding. Familiarize yourself with different methods, their steps, and their purposes. And last but not least, practice, practice, practice - solve as many example scenarios as you can.