Quality Control in PRINCE2 7 is a fundamental component of the Quality Practice that focuses on verifying whether products meet their defined quality criteria and specifications. It involves the operational techniques and activities used to examine products and determine their acceptability against…Quality Control in PRINCE2 7 is a fundamental component of the Quality Practice that focuses on verifying whether products meet their defined quality criteria and specifications. It involves the operational techniques and activities used to examine products and determine their acceptability against predetermined standards.
The primary purpose of Quality Control is to ensure that project deliverables are fit for purpose before they are handed over to users or progress to subsequent stages. This involves systematic inspection, testing, and review of products to identify any defects or deviations from the agreed quality criteria documented in Product Descriptions.
Key aspects of Quality Control include:
1. Quality Methods: These are the specific techniques used to verify product quality, such as testing, inspections, reviews, and audits. The appropriate method depends on the nature of the product being assessed.
2. Quality Records: Documentation of all quality activities, results, and any follow-up actions required. These records provide evidence that quality processes have been followed and support lessons learned.
3. Quality Register: A project document that captures all planned and completed quality activities, including reviews and tests, their results, and any actions arising from them.
4. Approval Process: Products must be formally approved by appropriate authorities before being considered complete. This ensures accountability and confirms that quality criteria have been satisfied.
5. Defect Management: When products fail to meet quality criteria, defects must be recorded, assessed, and addressed through corrective actions or approved concessions.
Quality Control operates alongside Quality Assurance, which provides independent confidence that quality processes are being followed correctly. While Quality Assurance focuses on the process, Quality Control concentrates on examining the actual products themselves.
Effective Quality Control reduces rework, ensures customer satisfaction, and contributes to successful project delivery by catching issues early before they escalate into larger problems.
Quality Control in PRINCE2 Foundation v7
Why Quality Control is Important
Quality Control is a fundamental aspect of the PRINCE2 Quality Practice because it ensures that products meet their defined quality criteria before they are accepted. It protects the project from delivering products that do not meet requirements, which could lead to rework, increased costs, project delays, and stakeholder dissatisfaction. By implementing effective quality control, projects can maintain credibility and deliver value to the organization.
What is Quality Control?
Quality Control refers to the operational techniques and activities used to verify that products meet their specified quality criteria. It involves the actual inspection, testing, and review of products against predetermined standards. In PRINCE2, quality control activities are documented in the Quality Register and are linked to product descriptions that contain specific quality criteria, quality tolerances, and quality methods.
Key components of Quality Control include: - Quality Criteria: Measurable specifications that products must meet - Quality Tolerances: The acceptable range of deviation from quality criteria - Quality Methods: The techniques used to check products (testing, inspection, review) - Quality Register: A record of all planned and completed quality activities
How Quality Control Works
Quality Control operates through a systematic process:
1. Planning: Quality methods and criteria are defined in product descriptions during planning 2. Execution: Products are created according to specifications 3. Inspection: Products are checked against quality criteria using defined methods 4. Recording: Results are documented in the Quality Register 5. Approval: Products meeting criteria are approved; those failing require corrective action
Quality control methods in PRINCE2 include: - In-process methods: Checks during product creation - Appraisal methods: Checks after product completion (testing, inspection, pilot)
Quality Control vs Quality Assurance
It is essential to distinguish between these two concepts: - Quality Control: Focuses on checking specific products meet their criteria (product-focused) - Quality Assurance: Focuses on ensuring processes and methods are being followed correctly (process-focused)
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Quality Control
1. Remember the focus: Quality Control is about checking PRODUCTS, not processes. If a question asks about verifying procedures or methods are followed, that relates to Quality Assurance.
2. Link to Product Descriptions: Quality criteria come from product descriptions. Questions may test your understanding of where quality expectations are defined.
3. Know the Quality Register: This is the central record for quality control activities. It tracks planned and actual quality checks.
4. Understand responsibilities: The Team Manager is typically responsible for quality control activities during Stage delivery, while the Project Manager has overall responsibility for the Quality Management Strategy.
5. Watch for keywords: Terms like 'testing,' 'inspection,' 'review,' and 'checking products' indicate Quality Control topics.
6. Consider timing: Quality control happens during and after product creation, not before the project starts.
7. Read scenarios carefully: Exam questions often describe situations where you must identify whether the issue relates to quality control (product checking) or quality assurance (process checking).
8. Remember tolerances: Quality tolerances define acceptable deviation ranges. Products within tolerance can be approved; those outside require escalation or corrective action.