In the context of the PRINCE2 7 'Managing Product Delivery' (MP) process, Quality Compliance is the fundamental assurance mechanism ensuring that specialist products meet their defined requirements before they are handed back to the Project Manager. This process serves as the interface between the …In the context of the PRINCE2 7 'Managing Product Delivery' (MP) process, Quality Compliance is the fundamental assurance mechanism ensuring that specialist products meet their defined requirements before they are handed back to the Project Manager. This process serves as the interface between the project management layer and the delivery layer, revolving primarily around the execution of the Work Package.
The cycle of compliance begins when the Team Manager accepts a Work Package. They must review the associated Product Descriptions to fully comprehend the quality criteria, quality tolerances, and the specific quality methods required (such as inspections, testing, or peer reviews). During the execution phase, the team produces the products in strict adherence to these specifications and the project's overarching Quality Management Approach.
Compliance is actively demonstrated through the execution of agreed quality controls. As products are created, the team performs the requisite checks. The results must be documented in Quality Records, and the status updated in the Quality Register. These records serve as the objective evidence that the product is 'fit for purpose' and meets the user's requirements.
Crucially, within PRINCE2 7, a product is not considered 'complete' until it has passed these quality checks. If a product fails, it requires rework or a formal concession from the Project Board. Before the 'Deliver a Work Package' activity is finalized, the Team Manager must verify that all quality activities are complete and approved. This rigorous adherence prevents technical debt and ensures that the Project Manager accepts only verified deliverables, thereby protecting the project's ability to realize its benefits and ensuring the final output aligns with the Business Case.
Quality Compliance in Delivery
What is Quality Compliance in Delivery? In the PRINCE2 methodology, specifically within the Managing Product Delivery process, Quality Compliance refers to the activities undertaken by the Team Manager and their team to ensure that the specialist products being built meet the requirements set out in the Product Description. It represents the execution phase of Quality Control, where the team ensures the work is not just 'done', but done to the agreed standard before it is handed back to the Project Manager.
Why is it Important? Quality compliance ensures that the project delivers value rather than just volume. Its importance lies in: 1. Verification: It proves that the product meets the Quality Criteria defined during planning. 2. Cost Efficiency: It prevents defective products from moving to the next stage, reducing the cost of rework. 3. Stakeholder Confidence: It provides objective evidence (via Quality Records) that the products are fit for purpose.
How it Works The process is integrated into the Execute a Work Package activity: 1. Preparation: The Team Manager reviews the Work Package and Product Descriptions to understand the required Quality Criteria and Quality Methods. 2. Execution: As the work is performed, the team applies the specified quality methods (e.g., testing, inspection, peer review). 3. Approval: The designated reviewers or approvers verify the product against the criteria. 4. Recording: The results (Pass/Fail) are recorded in the Quality Register, and the Quality Records are stored as evidence.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Quality Compliance in Delivery When answering PRINCE2 Practitioner questions on this topic, focus on the following logic: 1. Role Responsibility: If the question asks who is responsible for performing or managing the specific quality checks during the creation of the product, the answer is usually the Team Manager (or the team members). The Project Manager receives the results via Checkpoint Reports but does not usually perform the checks. 2. The Product Description is King: In scenario-based questions, if a stakeholder claims a product is 'good enough' but it does not meet the specific Quality Criteria in the Product Description, the product is not compliant. Always select answers that align with the documented criteria rather than informal agreements. 3. The Quality Register: Look for the link between the delivery team and the Quality Register. While Project Support often maintains the register physically, the data regarding the actual date of the test and the result originates from the delivery team during this process. 4. Tailoring Context: Be aware of the environment. If the scenario is an Agile environment, quality compliance might be described as meeting the 'Definition of Done'. If it is a third-party supplier, compliance is demonstrated before the project formally accepts the Work Package.