CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROJECT QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

A quality management plan is intended to document important quality standards that apply to the project and methods by which quality will be assured and controlled. There are several types of tests to ensure quality on information technology projects

- A unit test is done to assess each individual component (often a program) to ensure it is as defect-free as possible.

- Integration testing occurs between unit and system testing to test functionally grouped components. It ensures that subset(s) of the entire system work together.

- System testing tests the entire system as one entity.

- User acceptance testing is an independent test performed by end users prior to accepting the delivered system.

On information technology projects, it is important to give one person responsibility for architectural control, so as to ensure quality throughout the enterprise. There are also numerous tests to ensure quality on projects.

Quality planning involves identifying relevant quality standards for each unique project and designing quality into the products of the project. It also involves communicating the correct methods for ensuring quality in a form that is understandable and complete.

Quality assurance involves satisfying the relevant quality standards for a project and promoting continual quality improvement.

Quality control involves accepting decisions, reworking, and process adjustments.

Quality checkpoints are specific points at which quality can be checked. For example, users could test specific functionality or features of a new system to make sure it meets their needs as the project progresses. Users often sign off on specific checkpoints to show their acceptance of work.

Because most information technology projects must work within a larger organizational context, it is important to have someone responsible for ensuring that new systems fit into the overall architecture.

Document quality requirements and plans for projects in a quality management plan. Be sure to define quality checkpoints and tests required for the project.