User Quality Expectations are a fundamental component of the PRINCE2 7 quality theme that captures what users and stakeholders anticipate from the final product or service. These expectations represent the quality standards and characteristics that end users believe the project outputs should posse…User Quality Expectations are a fundamental component of the PRINCE2 7 quality theme that captures what users and stakeholders anticipate from the final product or service. These expectations represent the quality standards and characteristics that end users believe the project outputs should possess to meet their needs effectively.
In PRINCE2 7, User Quality Expectations are documented early in the project lifecycle, typically during the Starting Up a Project process. They form part of the Project Product Description and serve as the foundation for developing more detailed quality criteria and acceptance criteria throughout the project.
User Quality Expectations encompass several key aspects. First, they define the overall quality level expected, including standards of finish, reliability, and performance characteristics. Second, they capture any specific operational requirements that users need the product to fulfil in their working environment. Third, they address maintenance and support expectations, clarifying how the product should perform over its operational lifetime.
These expectations are gathered through consultation with users, customers, and other relevant stakeholders. The Project Manager and Project Board work together to ensure these expectations are realistic, achievable within the project constraints, and properly understood by all parties involved.
The relationship between User Quality Expectations and Acceptance Criteria is crucial. While User Quality Expectations provide a high-level view of what users want, Acceptance Criteria translate these into measurable and testable statements that can be verified during the project. This ensures there is a clear link between stakeholder desires and project deliverables.
Properly defined User Quality Expectations help prevent misunderstandings, reduce the risk of delivering products that fail to satisfy users, and provide a benchmark against which project success can be measured. They support effective communication between the project team and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
User Quality Expectations in PRINCE2 Foundation v7
What are User Quality Expectations?
User Quality Expectations are a key component of the PRINCE2 quality practice. They represent a statement about the expected quality of the project product from the perspective of those who will use it. These expectations capture what the users need and want from the final deliverable in terms of quality attributes, functionality, and standards.
Why are User Quality Expectations Important?
User Quality Expectations are crucial because they:
• Define success criteria - They establish what 'good enough' means for the project product • Prevent scope creep - By documenting expectations early, the project team has clear boundaries • Enable stakeholder alignment - They ensure everyone understands what quality means for this specific project • Form the basis for acceptance - Acceptance criteria are derived from these expectations • Drive quality planning - They inform the creation of quality management approaches and product descriptions
How User Quality Expectations Work in PRINCE2
The process follows this flow:
1. Capture - During the Starting up a Project process, user quality expectations are gathered from stakeholders 2. Document - They are recorded in the Project Product Description 3. Refine - During Initiating a Project, these expectations are elaborated into measurable acceptance criteria 4. Apply - Throughout the project, quality expectations guide product development and quality checks 5. Verify - At project closure, the product is verified against these original expectations
Key Characteristics of User Quality Expectations
• They are expressed in the users' own terms • They may be subjective initially but must be translated into measurable criteria • They cover aspects like fitness for purpose, reliability, ease of use, and maintainability • They must be realistic and achievable within project constraints
Relationship with Other Quality Elements
User Quality Expectations connect to:
• Acceptance Criteria - Derived from quality expectations, these are prioritised and measurable • Quality Tolerance - Defines acceptable deviation from quality expectations • Product Descriptions - Include quality criteria based on user expectations • Quality Management Approach - Describes how expectations will be met and verified
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on User Quality Expectations
Tip 1: Know the location Remember that User Quality Expectations are documented in the Project Product Description, which is created during Starting up a Project.
Tip 2: Understand the purpose Questions often test whether you understand that quality expectations capture what users need in their own words, before being refined into measurable acceptance criteria.
Tip 3: Recognise the relationship hierarchy User Quality Expectations lead to Acceptance Criteria, which lead to Quality Criteria in individual Product Descriptions. Know this chain.
Tip 4: Identify responsibility The Senior User role is primarily responsible for specifying user quality expectations, as they represent the user community.
Tip 5: Watch for timing questions Quality expectations are first captured in Starting up a Project and refined in Initiating a Project. They are not created during Controlling a Stage.
Tip 6: Distinguish from similar concepts Do not confuse User Quality Expectations with acceptance criteria or project success criteria. Each has a distinct meaning and purpose in PRINCE2.
Tip 7: Look for practical application Exam questions may present scenarios where you need to identify whether a statement represents a user quality expectation or something else entirely.