In addition to tracking the time, budget, and scope of a project, the quality of the project should also be planned to ensure the customer is satisfied. This can be difficult as everyone has a different definition for quality. We want to help ensure that all of your projects meet high quality standards, so we’ve compiled a list for planning quality management in projects.
Looking for project management software to keep your team on track? Check out our Project Management Product Selection Tool to get a short list of vendors that will meet your company’s needs.
How is quality defined?
No matter how good the finished product is, if your customer isn’t satisfied with it, you haven’t done a quality job. In fact, Edwards Deming, an engineer and statistician considered by many to be the father of quality management, defines a quality product as one that is:
- Dependable
- Predictable
- Uniform
- Consistent
based on the standards set by the client. Because of this, we’ll be referring to quality in this article as what your client needs from the project. As a whole, quality includes meeting the requirements, delivering the product on time, and delivering a correct product.
Project quality management, then, includes all of the processes and steps taken to ensure your finished product meets those needs. Keeping the scope of quality tied to the customer makes it easier to achieve the goals you set for the project. Because quality is tied to what the customer wants and needs, you can plan for it ahead of time.
1. Use a Gantt chart
A Gantt chart displays both the different activities that need to be completed during the project and an acceptable time frame for those activities. By using this tool, you can specifically plan out each phase of the project based on the deliverables you need to meet and examine exactly how long each portion should take. Not only does this help in your planning, but it can also help manage client and stakeholder expectations by giving a more detailed look into the time and scope of the project.
Recommended software
Ganttic is a project management software that offers a Gantt-based approach to scheduling and completing projects. The application is cloud-based and offers a more functional alternative to the limited features found in Excel. The drag-and-drop approach makes it easy to alter the project scope without having to create a whole new chart. Plus, tracking and planning resource usage is easier.
2. Use a flow chart
Flow charts are used in project management to provide a visual representation of the method you’re going to use during the project. It shows how processes work together and what needs to be completed before you can move onto the next phase of the project. Flow charts are a great way to find areas in your project that can be optimized for better efficiency. If you’re having trouble determining how to meet a client’s deadline, a flow chart can help identify pieces of the project that are holding you back.
Recommended software
Twproject is a web-based project management software that provides Gantt charts, flow charts, and an Excel-like interface to optimize and streamline projects. Assign tasks, update project details, and set goals in real time. Customers applaud its level of detail, explaining that they can easily keep track of issues while the program itself is simple and easy to use.
3. Use quality management software
Quality management software streamlines processes and organizes data to improve efficiency and provide a better quality product. There are many quality management systems out there, but two great options are Pilgrim’s SmartSolve and TrackVia.
Pilgrim SmartSolve
SmartSolve is Pilgrim’s quality management software, designed to provide better control and visibility for the processes you manage. Established in 1993, Pilgrim has nearly three decades of development and customer service experience that they’ve poured into a robust quality management tool. Their solution is specifically geared towards the life sciences, making it a perfect option for healthcare organizations. The platform offers simplified reporting, easy audit preparation, and electronic signature report. Additionally, the built-in tools make it easy to monitor key processes and analyze and report on quality data.
SmartSolve also offers tools that automate processes to keep you compliant with the GMP, GCP, and GLP standards dictated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It improves a variety of processes, including audit management, complaint management, supplier quality management, and change management. The system is built to keep your organization compliant with regulatory requirements and increase the quality of your projects.
TrackVia
As a leading quality management software for manufacturing companies, TrackVia reduces costs and shortens project production cycles. The software is cloud based, offering both mobile and offline capabilities to keep your projects running smoothly. The software is also customizable, so it perfectly meets the needs of your business and the scope of your project. Finally, it easily integrates with most ERP and CRM tools.
Also read: The Best ERP for Supply Chain Logistics
Over 1500 companies currently rely on TrackVia to streamline their employee training, non-conformance, audits and inspections, and other critical processes. The program was also recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America from 2013-2015. TrackVia works best for medium to large manufacturing companies who need end-to-end visibility on their projects and want to shorten timelines.
Ensuring better quality for your projects
Many project managers consider quality management to be one of the most, if not the most, challenging aspects of project management. Quality has different definitions for everyone, and relying on the client to determine what makes a high quality product can be exceedingly frustrating. Luckily, there are software and tools available to help you provide top quality products every time. Check out our Project Management Software Product Selection Tool to get a custom list of project management software specifically with your business in mind.
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