PRINCE2 Quality

“Quality is not act. It is a habit.” ~Aristotle
“Quality is simple. People are complicated.” ~Harry Forsha


The PRINCE2 quality slogan is "Fit for Purpose". Quality takes time and resources. Good enough is good enough. But how does PRINCE2 recommend that you go about making sure something is fit for purpose?

Overview of the PRINCE2 Quality Approach

The purpose of the PRINCE2 Quality theme is to define and implement the means by which the project will verify products that fit for purpose.

Quality Planning
The high level preparation and quality planning starts with the Project Product Description including the Quality Expectations and Acceptance Criteria. This happens in "Starting Up a Project" and defines what the project will produce and when the project is done.



In the Quality Strategy you make the project's rule set for quality management. These high level guiding descriptions are important, but worthless if not implemented though diligent use of Product Descriptions and a Quality Register.

In PRINCE2 you define your deliverables in Product Descriptions. This is also where you define the quality criteria and quality method for each product. As a Product Description is handed over to a Team Manager, an agreement is done on who will do what to ensure the product is fit for purpose.

Quality Control
The agreement between Project Manager and Team Manager is documented in a Work Package and the agreed quality control is recorded in the Quality Register.

This sounds easy, but it takes a bit of focus and persistence to implement. If done well, it can have a tremendous impact on the quality of deliverables.

Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is about independently checking that the organization and processes are in place for quality planning and control. It provides the project stakeholders with confidence that the quality requirements can be fulfilled.

Quality Improvement
The PRINCE2 Quality Theme also covers the implementation of continuous improvement during the project - capturing and acting on lessons learned.

PRINCE2 Quality Review Technique

 

PRINCE2 doesn't in general suggest specific techniques, but in the PRINCE2 Quality Theme, a review technique is defined.

The PRINCE2 Quality Review Technique has four roles:

• Chair – coordinates the review.

• Presenter – presents the product and represents producers; coordinates and monitors post-review work, implementing agreed changes to the product.

• Reviewer – assesses the quality of the product by assessing it against the quality criteria in the relevant Product Description.

• Administrator – supports the chair and documents any agreed follow-up actions resulting the quality review.

The PRINCE2 Quality Review Technique defines three steps:


1 - Review Preparation

• Share a copies of the product to be reviewed and other relevant documentation. Consolidate question list.

2 - Review Meeting

• Review. Document actions and conclusions.

3 - Review Follow-Up

• Approval of remedial work.

PRINCE2 Quality is one of the seven PRINCE2 Themes
A template for a PRINCE2 Quality Register can be found in the PRINCE2 Templates page (Logs and registers)