A quality management plan is a document that describes how the project team will ensure that the project deliverables meet the quality standards and expectations of the customer and other stakeholders1. Quality is not only about the final product, but also about the processes and activities that produce it2. A quality management plan defines the quality methodology, standards, criteria, activities, tools, resources, reporting, and corrective actions that will be applied throughout the project life cycle to achieve quality objectives3. A quality management plan is important because it helps the project manager and the project team to:
Align the project scope with the customer requirements and needs
Prevent or minimize defects, errors, and rework
Enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty
Improve team performance and collaboration
Reduce project risks and costs
Increase project value and benefits Therefore, the project manager should develop the quality management plan, as quality is as equally important as cost and schedule management. Quality is one of the key constraints of the project management triangle, along with scope, time, and cost4. Balancing these constraints is essential for delivering a successful project that meets the expectations of the customer and other stakeholders. Ignoring or compromising quality can have negative impacts on the project outcome, such as poor functionality, usability, reliability, or security of the software product, or low customer satisfaction, trust, or retention. The project manager should also communicate the importance of quality to the team member who complains about quality control, and explain how quality control activities, such as testing, inspection, or review, can help them identify and correct any issues or defects in their work, and ensure that they deliver a high-quality product that meets the customer’s needs and expectations. References:
The Quality Management Plan in Project Management | ProjectManager.com
What is Quality Management? - Definition from WhatIs.com
What is a Quality Management Plan (QMP) - AcqNotes
Project Management Triangle - Time, Cost and Quality - Iron Triangle
[Why Quality Matters in Software Development - DZone Agile]
