Project quality management describes the process of consistently measuring a certain standard or merit that all activities or projects must follow in order to achieve the desired result for both the company and the client. Project quality management processes help to control the cost of a project, it establishes the quality that a company or organization strives for, and it also helps determine the steps necessary to achieve said standards. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), they define quality as “the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs”. This implies that definitions of the term quality are still very vague and up for discussion but nonetheless, in this blog we will use the previously stated definition. In agile methodologies, the whole team contributes to the delivery and the outcome of a quality project or product throughout the time spent working on the project. Given agile methodologies, we know that the project team is designed so that the needs of the client or customer are constantly being met. This means that throughout the duration of the project, the team must review with the customer or client in order to ensure that everything is being tailored to their wants and needs. By doing so, the project team is aware of the changes that are needed to be made. 

MATURITY MODELS

SOFTWARE QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT MODEL (SQFD)

Software quality function deployment models describe models that primarily focus on outlining the responsibilities of the users as well as the foundation of software projects. With software quality function deployment models, you can be assured that a set of measurable data regarding product specification and their scheme. By defining these requirements it can ensure that the team does not have to go back and forth between various components. 

CAPABILITY MATURITY MODEL INTEGRATION

In addition to software quality function deployment models, capability maturity models were also developed. These models, also known as CMMI, describe an approach that aims to improve  and helps provide the necessary resources for an organization or company to perform effectively and efficiently throughout the duration of the project. These models are most often used as a guideline for a process. These can help delegate and distribute tasks as well as providing guidance for quality for processes. There are five capability levels of capability maturity models. These include, 0: Incomplete- organizations find themselves struggling quite a bit and they lack cohesiveness, 1: Performed- the basic activities and rules and regulations are established in what experts refer to as , the ad hoc manner, 2: Managed- this emphasizes how a project must be planned, executed, measured, as well as controlled, 3: Defined, 4: Quantitatively managed, 5: Optimizing. 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT MATURITY MODELS

In the late 1990s, there was a growing necessity for project management maturity models around this time. This model drew inspiration from the successful application of capability maturity models (CMMI), and ultimately organizations and companies wanted to create a smaller more tactful project management process system that would be used across various project model types. This caused a major shift within the industry. This shift emphasized and highlighted the goal-oriented methodologies that were starting to make way throughout this industry. The PMI Standard Development Program is an American National Standards Institute that lists policies and rules that must be followed. Such implementations led to an entire wave of successful execution of projects. 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, project quality management refers to the process of maintaining a relative standard of quality throughout a project lifetime. This can prove to be beneficial for both the company/organization and the client by meeting the customers expectations as well as potentially bringing in new clients. Project quality management is vital in customer satisfaction. In order to underline the importance of project quality management, we discussed the three main maturity models and just how they play a role in project quality management. These models are used to create a complex, yet easy to understand framework for displaying the process for a project. This ensures that tasks are delegated effectively and efficiently, as well as ensuring that the quality remains top-notch throughout the duration of the project. 

Citations

“Capability Maturity Model Integration.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capability_Maturity_Model_Integration. Accessed 16 October 2023.

Carr, Peter. “Agile Quality Management – Project Leadership.” Project Leadership, 16 December 2019, https://projectleadershipwaterloo.wordpress.com/2019/12/16/agile-quality-management/. Accessed 16 October 2023.

Eby, Kate. “Project Management Maturity Models.” Smartsheet, 26 April 2022, https://www.smartsheet.com/content/project-management-maturity. Accessed 16 October 2023.

Eby, Kate. “Project Management Maturity Models.” Smartsheet, 26 April 2022, https://www.smartsheet.com/content/project-management-maturity. Accessed 16 October 2023.

“Everything You Need to Know About Quality Management in Agile.” Agilemania, 16 February 2022, https://agilemania.com/quality-management-in-agile. Accessed 16 October 2023.

Lutkevich, Ben. “What is Capability Maturity Model (CMM)?” TechTarget, https://www.techtarget.com/searchsoftwarequality/definition/Capability-Maturity-Model. Accessed 16 October 2023.

Ross, David W., and Paul E. Shaltry. “The new PMI standard for program management.” PMI, https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/new-project-management-institute-standard-development-8014. Accessed 16 October 2023.

“Standards Development Process.” PMI, https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/about/development. Accessed 16 October 2023.