You are encouraged to consult at least one project practitioner (this can be done via email, telephone or in person) ; (From: Mining or hospitality Management , choose only one), to get a practical understanding of project quality in the workplace and to supplement the theoretical knowledge acquired. A sample question sheet will be provided to guide the consultation process and to gather targeted information aligned to your research. The findings will be used in the report developed in Part 2. Specific information to be gathered includes, but not limited to: • the industry type; (Mining or hospitality Management , choose only one) • the project practitioner’s experience and qualifications; • the project complexity; • details of project staffing, use of outsourcing; and • organisational structure and type The format is a structured interview which must allow for the collection of qualitative (descriptive/explanatory) data as well as quantitative (numeric) data. . This document will be supplied to you. You will submit a brief of no more than 1100 words on the approach you developed and implemented (through collaboration and your own research) to understand project quality. The brief will also include the information gathering activities and techniques (e.g. interviewing) that you used to obtain the data for your report in Part 2 of the assignment. Your interview aims are: 1. Start by asking them to define project quality; 2. To be able to describe and explain each respondent’s actual/current quality management practice; 3. To obtain a picture of their concept of ideal /desired practice; and, 4. To discover what prevents them from a) implementing their ideal quality process and b) achieving the quality results that they would like. They may cite problems with measurement, compliance and standards. Core Interview Questions Sample question sheet Demographic information • Name • Position • Experience • Qualifications Other • Project information Quality defined • How would you define quality in the context of your work? (methodology etc.) • Does your organisation have a formal quality management philosophy? If so, please elaborate. Project quality • Can you name the key elements that define project quality? • At what stage in the project management process do you introduce project quality? • Do you typically develop a quality statement and/or quality management plan? If yes, please elaborate. Quality planning • How do you identify which quality standards are relevant to the project and how do you plan to meet those requirements in the project? • How is your quality planning aligned with your company’s corporate strategy? • How do you identify and prioritise quality standards in your projects? Quality HR management • How do you evaluate staff performance and measure this against project quality standards? • What role do you believe staff training and development plays in project quality? Please provide practical examples. • What role does communication play in the maintenance of project quality? Quality design • How do you identify customer’s requirements in order to meet their expectations? • Are there any methodologies that you have in place to satisfy the customers in regards to quality, service and performance? • Do you apply benchmarking when implementing quality practices in your projects? If so, what benchmarks do you use as a reference point? Quality assurance (process focus) • Quality assurance seeks to build confidence that projects will be completed within quality specifications and expectations. What tools or techniques do you utilise in order to achieve this? • How important is the availability of clear quality standards and quantifiable metrics to the quality assurance process and how do you measure and track these through the life of a project? • What do you believe are key inhibitors of project quality. Quality monitoring and control (product orientated) • How do you adjust your delivery plan to accommodate quality changes? • Do you use Business Process Management (BPM) techniques such as Lean and Six Sigma to support quality monitoring and improvement. If so, please elaborate in relation to your project management activities. • How does change influence project quality and how do you manage this process effectively during the life of the project? • How do you demonstrate compliance against a customer’s quality standards? Quality reporting • What reporting mechanisms do you have in place (e.g. communications plan, project status update) to ensure that project activities are aligned to quality standards? • How does reporting assist with the project quality process? Please provide practical examples. Quality strategies for continuous improvement • Do you use KPIs, Balanced Scorecard or any other quality strategies during the project management process? If so, please describe the benefits of this approach. • What is the desired state of project quality in your organisation and how do you intend to achieve that state from your current position? • What project management practices do you employ to maintain a competitive advantage? Final question • Do you have any additional information that you would like to add in relation to project quality? Resourses ECU Library Subject Guide for Project management at: http://ecu.au.libguides.com/content.php?pid=122252&sid=2334855 (Here you will get useful links to the journals/seminal guides etc. that are relevant to Project Management) • Bentley, C. (2010). PRINCE2 A Practical Handbook. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Ltd. [e-book online available via ECU library • Office of Government Commerce. (2009). Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2™. Norwich: TSO School of Business & Law MAN6302 Managing Project Quality 9 • Jonasson, Hans. (2008). Determining Project Requirements. Bocca Ratton: Auerbach Publications. • Other reference materials such as published papers, Internet addresses, reference books, cases and other material that will be advised during the course of the unit via Blackboard and the lecture slides.

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