PMP Certification: Project Quality Management Whats, Whens, and Whys (based on PMBOK® Guide, 6th Edition)


Project Quality Management Whats, Whens, and Whys

by Project Management Process Group

1. Plan Quality Management


  • WHAT Plan Quality Management Is. Plan Quality Management implies gathering all of the information available to a project manager at the beginning of the project and determining how quality will be measured and defects prevented.
  • WHY Plan Quality Management Is Important. The quality management plan, main output of the Plan Quality Management process, is a key tool for preventing defects on the project and reducing the cost of quality. Therefore, quality is planned from the start of the project – not merely inspected.
  • WHEN Plan Quality Management Is Executed. A project manager starts the Plan Quality Management process at the beginning of the planning phase of the project, in conjunction with other Planning processes.
pmp 2018 project quality management whats whens whys pmbok guide 6th edition tipsographic main

Project Quality Management Whats, Whens, and Whys

by Project Management Process Group

1. Plan Quality Management


  • WHAT Plan Quality Management Is. Plan Quality Management implies gathering all of the information available to a project manager at the beginning of the project and determining how quality will be measured and defects prevented.
  • WHY Plan Quality Management Is Important. The quality management plan, main output of the Plan Quality Management process, is a key tool for preventing defects on the project and reducing the cost of quality. Therefore, quality is planned from the start of the project – not merely inspected.
  • WHEN Plan Quality Management Is Executed. A project manager starts the Plan Quality Management process at the beginning of the planning phase of the project, in conjunction with other Planning processes.

2. Manage Quality


  • pmp 2018 kit free online training tipsographicWHAT Manage Quality Is. Manage Quality implies focusing on continuous quality improvement. In this executing process, a project manager uses the quality management plan and the measurements collected during the Control Quality process for guidance, to check that the project is following the proper and most efficient processes to meet stakeholders’ requirements.
  • WHY Manage Quality Is Important. An improvement in the quality of project processes and activities has also positive implications for the other five project constraints (time, scope, cost, resources, and risk); which ultimately results in higher-quality products and services.
  • WHEN Manage Quality Is Executed. The Manage Quality process is iterative in nature. A project manager starts managing quality after the outputs from Plan Quality Management and Control Quality processes are made available and continues throughout the life of the project.

3. Control Quality


  • WHAT Control Quality Is. Control Quality implies inspecting and reviewing work products to find defects. In case of mismatches between work performance information and quality plan and metrics, a project manager recommends a change. Thus, the problem is either fixed or prevented from happening again.
  • WHY Control Quality Is Important. Control Quality process guarantees that every product and project deliverable meets quality standards. Once compliance with product requirements has been accepted, deliverables may undergo Validate Scope process for customer acceptance.
  • WHEN Control Quality Is Executed. The first product or service developed as part of the project marks the beginning of the Control Quality process, then carried on throughout much of the project.

Click here for a detailed analysis of each project management process group and knowledge area.

SOURCES: Project Management Institute (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). 6th ed. Newtown Square: Project Management Institute.

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