PRINCE2 Quality

"Quality is not an act. It is a habit."— Aristotle

The purpose of the PRINCE2 Quality practice is to define and implement the means by which the project will verify that products are fit for purpose. Quality takes time and resources — good enough is good enough, but how does PRINCE2 recommend you go about making sure something is fit for purpose?

Quality Planning

High-level 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 Management Approach you define the project's rule set for quality management. These high-level guiding descriptions are important, but worthless if not implemented through 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 made 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. If done well, this 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 project stakeholders with confidence that quality requirements can be fulfilled.

Quality Improvement

The PRINCE2 Quality Practice also covers the implementation of continuous improvement during the project — capturing and acting on lessons learned.

PRINCE2 Quality Review Technique

PRINCE2 defines one specific technique in the Quality Practice — the Quality Review Technique. It has four roles:

• Chair — coordinates the review.
• Presenter — presents the product and represents producers; coordinates and monitors post-review work, implementing agreed changes.
• Reviewer — assesses the quality of the product by evaluating it against the quality criteria in the relevant Product Description.
• Administrator — supports the chair and documents any agreed follow-up actions.

The technique defines three steps:

1. Review Preparation — Share 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.