Lab #10: Applying Quality Management Techniques

Objective:
 Understand the Importance of Quality Management: Explore how quality management
ensures software project success.
 Learn MS Project's Role in Quality Management: Understand how MS Project can be
leveraged for implementing quality management techniques.
 Implement Quality Control Measures: Practice setting up quality control checkpoints
within a project timeline.
 Monitor Quality Metrics: Gain skills in tracking and analyzing quality metrics through
MS Project's features.
 Enhance Decision Making: Learn to make informed project decisions based on quality
data.

Activity Outcome:
 Practical Application of Theoretical Concepts: Apply theoretical knowledge of quality
management in a practical scenario using MS Project.
 Skill Enhancement in MS Project: Develop advanced proficiency in using MS Project for
quality management.
 Project Planning and Execution Skills: Enhance abilities in planning and executing
projects with a focus on quality.
 Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving
skills in the context of project quality.
 Data Analysis and Interpretation: Improve skills in analyzing and interpreting quality-
related data in project management.
Instructor Outcome: This lab focuses on applying quality management techniques in MS
Project. Encourage students to think critically about how each step in their project plan impacts
overall quality. Remind them that the goal is not just to complete the tasks but to understand how
these tasks contribute to the project's success. Quality management is a vital skill in project
management, and proficiency in MS Project is an invaluable asset.

Useful Concepts:
 Quality Management Fundamentals: Understanding the basics of quality management in
the context of software projects.
 MS Project Tools for Quality Management: Detailed exploration of MS Project features
pertinent to quality management.
 Setting Quality Objectives: Techniques for defining clear, measurable quality objectives
within MS Project.
  Quality Control and Assurance Processes: Implementing processes for quality control and
assurance in a project.
 Quality Metrics and KPIs: Identifying and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
for quality in MS Project.
 Risk Management in Quality: Addressing potential risks to project quality and mitigation
strategies.
Activity 1: Setting Up a Quality Management Plan in MS Project
 Open MS Project: Launch MS Project and select 'New Project'.
 Define Project Information: Enter project name, start date, and other basic information.
 Set Up Tasks: Create a list of tasks and subtasks necessary for the project.
 Assign Resources: Allocate resources to each task, including team members and
materials.
 Establish Quality Milestones: Define specific milestones that focus on quality checks.
 Set Baselines: Set a baseline to compare actual progress with the planned progress.
 Document Quality Objectives: In the notes section, detail the quality objectives for each
task.
 Save the Plan: Save the project plan for future reference and tracking.
Activity 2: Defining Quality Metrics and KPIs in MS Project
 Identify Key Quality Metrics: Determine what quality aspects are critical for your project
(e.g., defect rates, client satisfaction scores).
 Custom Fields for Metrics: In MS Project, go to 'Project' tab, select 'Custom Fields' to
create new fields for each metric.
 Setting Baseline for Metrics: Establish a baseline for these metrics to measure
performance against.
 Regular Review Setup: Schedule regular intervals to review these metrics.
 Data Input Mechanism: Establish how data for these metrics will be collected and
updated in MS Project.
 Analysis Reports: Use MS Project’s reporting features to create periodic reports for these
metrics.
 Reviewing Metric Trends: Analyze the reports to observe trends over time.
 Save and Update Project Plan: Regularly save the project plan with updated metrics.
Activity 3: Implementing Quality Control Checkpoints
 Planning Quality Checkpoints: Identify stages in the project where quality checks are
essential.
 Adding Checkpoints to Tasks: In the Gantt Chart view, add checkpoints as specific tasks.
 Assigning Responsibility: Assign team members to each checkpoint task.
 Setting Deadlines: Define deadlines for each quality checkpoint.
 Reminder Alarms: Set up reminders for approaching checkpoints.
 Documentation Requirements: Specify what documents or results need to be produced at
each checkpoint.
  Status Update Routine: Establish a routine for updating the status of these checkpoints.
 Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of each checkpoint in the project notes or
documents section.
Activity 4: Monitoring and Analyzing Quality Data
 Open Project File: Open your project file where quality metrics are tracked.
 Review Updated Metrics: Check the latest updates on the quality metrics.
 Variance Analysis: Analyze any variances from the planned quality metrics.
 Adjust Plans: Make necessary adjustments to tasks based on quality data.
 Generate Quality Reports: Use MS Project’s reporting feature to generate quality reports.
 Stakeholder Communication: Update stakeholders with the quality status reports.
 Feedback Integration: Incorporate feedback into the project plan for continuous
improvement.
 Save and Document Changes: Save all changes and document actions taken for future
reference.
Activity 5: Conducting a Quality Review and Feedback Session
 Schedule Review Meeting: Utilize MS Project to plan a meeting for reviewing project
quality. Set a date, time, and list attendees in the calendar.
 Prepare Quality Report: Before the meeting, generate a detailed report on project quality
metrics using MS Project’s reporting feature.
 Gather Team Feedback: During the meeting, discuss the quality report with the team and
solicit their feedback on various quality aspects of the project.
 Analyze Feedback for Insights: Post-meeting, analyze the collected feedback to identify
key areas for improvement or concern.
 Develop an Improvement Plan: Based on the feedback, formulate a plan targeting quality
improvement in specific areas of the project.
 Update Project Plan: Incorporate the improvement strategies into the project plan using
MS Project, adjusting tasks and timelines as necessary.
 Communicate Changes: Clearly communicate any changes or updates in the project plan
to the team and stakeholders.
 Document Meeting Minutes: Record the main points discussed, feedback received, and
decisions made during the meeting. Include these minutes in the project documentation
for reference.

Graded Lab Task:

 Task 1:
 Improving an Existing Project: Take an existing project plan and identify areas where
quality management was insufficient. Use MS Project to enhance the plan, focusing on
integrating more robust quality control measures.

 Task 2:
FYP Quality Management Application: Students are to apply quality
management techniques to their ongoing Final Year Project. They should
develop a comprehensive quality management plan in MS Project, tailoring
the metrics and checkpoints specifically to the needs of their FYP. This task
requires them to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application in
a real-world scenario.