Intro to Project Management: Project Quality Management Seven Basic Quality Tools

What This Is

The Seven Basic Quality Tools are a set of simple, yet powerful techniques used to improve quality in projects. These tools help project managers and teams identify, analyze, and solve problems, reducing errors and improving overall project performance. For example, consider a software development project where the team uses the Seven Basic Quality Tools to identify and fix bugs, improve code quality, and meet the project's deadline.

Key Terms & Formulas

• Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram): A visual tool used to identify and organize the root causes of a problem.
• Pareto Analysis: A method to identify the most significant problems or causes of a problem, based on their frequency or impact.
• Flowchart: A visual representation of a process or procedure, used to identify and improve inefficiencies.
• Histogram: A graphical representation of data, used to understand and analyze patterns or trends.
• Check Sheet: A tool used to collect and record data, often in a standardized format.
• Scatter Diagram: A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables, used to identify correlations or patterns.
• Control Chart: A statistical tool used to monitor and control processes, ensuring they remain within acceptable limits.
• Cause-and-Effect Diagram (Fishbone Diagram): A visual tool used to identify and organize the root causes of a problem.
• EV = % complete × BAC (Earned Value = percent complete times Budget at Completion): A formula used to calculate the earned value of a project.
• CPI = EV / AC (Cost Performance Index = Earned Value / Actual Cost): A formula used to calculate the cost performance index of a project.
• CV = AC / BAC (Cost Variance = Actual Cost / Budget at Completion): A formula used to calculate the cost variance of a project.

Step-by-Step / Process Flow

1. Identify the Problem: Determine the problem or issue that needs to be addressed.
2. Gather Data: Collect relevant data and information about the problem.
3. Analyze the Data: Use the Seven Basic Quality Tools to analyze the data and identify patterns, trends, or correlations.
4. Identify Root Causes: Use the Cause-and-Effect Diagram to identify the root causes of the problem.
5. Develop Solutions: Based on the analysis and root causes, develop solutions to address the problem.
6. Implement Solutions: Implement the solutions and monitor their effectiveness.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Failing to identify the root cause of a problem.
• Correction: Use the Cause-and-Effect Diagram to identify the root causes of a problem.
• Why: Identifying the root cause is essential to developing effective solutions.
• Mistake: Not collecting enough data to analyze the problem.
• Correction: Gather relevant data and information about the problem.
• Why: Insufficient data can lead to inaccurate analysis and ineffective solutions.
• Mistake: Not monitoring the effectiveness of solutions.
• Correction: Implement solutions and monitor their effectiveness.
• Why: Monitoring effectiveness ensures that solutions are working as intended.

Exam Tips

• Quality Assurance vs Quality Control: Quality assurance is the process of ensuring that the project meets the requirements and standards, while quality control is the process of monitoring and controlling the project to ensure it meets the requirements and standards.
• Contingency vs Management Reserve: Contingency is a reserve for unexpected events, while management reserve is a reserve for known risks.
• Scatter Diagram vs Correlation: A scatter diagram is a graphical representation of the relationship between two variables, while correlation is the relationship between two variables.

Quick Practice Questions

1. If the CPI is 0.8, is the project under or over budget? Answer: Under budget. Explanation: A CPI of 0.8 indicates that the project is earning 80% of its budget, which means it is under budget.
2. What is the purpose of a Pareto Analysis? Answer: To identify the most significant problems or causes of a problem. Explanation: A Pareto Analysis helps identify the most significant problems or causes of a problem, based on their frequency or impact.
3. What is the difference between a Flowchart and a Histogram? Answer: A Flowchart is a visual representation of a process or procedure, while a Histogram is a graphical representation of data. Explanation: A Flowchart is used to identify and improve inefficiencies, while a Histogram is used to understand and analyze patterns or trends.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Fishbone Diagram: A visual tool used to identify and organize the root causes of a problem.
• Pareto Analysis: A method to identify the most significant problems or causes of a problem.
• Flowchart: A visual representation of a process or procedure.
• Histogram: A graphical representation of data.
• Check Sheet: A tool used to collect and record data.
• Scatter Diagram: A graphical representation of the relationship between two variables.
• Control Chart: A statistical tool used to monitor and control processes.
• Cause-and-Effect Diagram: A visual tool used to identify and organize the root causes of a problem.
• EV = % complete × BAC: A formula used to calculate the earned value of a project.
• CPI = EV / AC: A formula used to calculate the cost performance index of a project.
• CV = AC / BAC: A formula used to calculate the cost variance of a project.
• ⚠️ 'Decomposition' breaks down work, not activities – it creates the WBS, not the activity list.
• ⚠️ Quality Assurance is not the same as Quality Control.
• ⚠️ Contingency is not the same as Management Reserve.