---
title: "Project quality"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:project-quality"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/project-quality
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Project quality

ICT Project Management · Chapter 10: Project quality management

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [Project Quality Management Overview | PMBOK Video Course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7YJ-_OJIZQ) — David McLachlan
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/project-quality
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-10

## Question

What do you mean by project quality?

## Short answer

The degree to which inherent characteristics of deliverables and project processes fulfill requirements. It includes product quality, process quality, and customer satisfaction. Quality is linked to scope, time, and cost; cutting these without scope changes reduces quality.

## Answer

**Project quality** is the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics of the project's deliverables, and the project processes, fulfil the requirements (PMBOK / ISO). Schwalbe defines quality as the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. Quality means "fitness for use" (Juran) and "conformance to requirements" (Crosby).

#### Aspects of project quality
1. **Product quality**: the deliverable meets functional and non-functional requirements.
2. **Process quality**: project management processes are effective and followed.
3. **Customer satisfaction**: expectations met or exceeded.

#### Dimensions (for IT products)
| Dimension | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Performance | Speed, throughput |
| Features | Functions provided |
| Reliability | Probability of failure-free operation |
| Conformance | Meets specification |
| Durability | Lifetime, maintainability |
| Serviceability | Ease of support |
| Aesthetics | Look and usability |
| Perceived quality | Reputation |

#### Relation to other constraints
Quality is linked to scope, time and cost: cutting time or budget without changing scope reduces quality.

```text
Scope
 / \    Quality at centre of
Time-Cost   all constraints
```

#### Management of quality
Project quality management includes three processes: plan quality, perform quality assurance and control quality. Quality must be planned in, not inspected in; prevention is cheaper than correction.

#### Quality experts
Deming (14 points, PDCA), Juran (fitness for use), Crosby (zero defects, do it right first time), Ishikawa (fishbone), Taguchi.

**Example:** A hospital system with correct calculations, 99.9% uptime, easy interface and secure data is of high project quality.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which definitions describe quality in the answer?
   A. Lowest cost (Taguchi) and fastest delivery
   B. Zero schedule variance and zero risk
   C. Maximum features and maximum price
   D. Fitness for use (Juran) and conformance to requirements (Crosby)
   Answer: D. Juran: fitness for use; Crosby: conformance to requirements. (Key point: Definition)

2. What happens when time or budget is cut without changing scope?
   A. Quality improves
   B. Quality is reduced
   C. Quality is unaffected
   D. Scope automatically shrinks
   Answer: B. Quality is linked to scope, time and cost; cutting time or cost while holding scope hurts quality. (Key point: Quality and constraints)

3. Which are the three project quality management processes?
   A. Plan, execute, close
   B. Inspect, test, release
   C. Plan quality, perform quality assurance, control quality
   D. Audit, certify, report
   Answer: C. These three processes make up project quality management. (Key point: Quality processes)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Steps to improve IT project quality](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aimprove-it-project-quality) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Project quality requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-quality-requirements) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Quality planning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aquality-planning) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Total quality management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Atqm) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Cost of quality](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Acost-of-quality) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Quality management plan](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aquality-management-plan) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10

## Related in other subjects

- [Short note: Project quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-control-techniques-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Quality; QA vs QC; site engineer steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-qa-qc-site-engineer-steps) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Quality control of concrete at site](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fconcrete_technology_and_masonry_structure%3Aquality-control-at-site) — Concrete Technology and Masonry Structure, chapter 5, asked 11×
- [Control cycle; quality control factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Acontrol-cycle-quality-control-factors) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×