How can you create a quality-focused team?

1 Define quality standards

The first step to creating a quality-focused team is to define what quality means for your project. You need to establish clear and measurable quality standards that align with the project objectives, scope, and requirements. You also need to communicate these standards to your team and ensure that they understand the expectations and the benefits of meeting them. By defining quality standards, you set the baseline for your team's performance and provide them with a common goal to work towards.

2 Implement quality assurance

The second step to creating a quality-focused team is to implement quality assurance activities throughout the project lifecycle. Quality assurance is the process of checking and verifying that the project deliverables and processes meet the quality standards. You need to plan and execute quality audits, reviews, tests, inspections, and other methods to monitor and control the quality of your project. You also need to involve your team in these activities and encourage them to provide and receive feedback, identify and resolve issues, and improve their skills and knowledge.

3 Promote quality culture

The third step to creating a quality-focused team is to promote a quality culture within your team and across the project environment. Quality culture is the attitude and behavior of your team members towards quality. You need to foster a culture of quality by leading by example, recognizing and rewarding quality achievements, providing training and coaching, empowering and trusting your team, and creating a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. By promoting a quality culture, you motivate your team to take ownership of quality and to continuously seek for improvement and innovation.

4 Manage quality risks

The fourth step to creating a quality-focused team is to manage the quality risks that may affect your project. Quality risks are the uncertainties that may impact the quality of your project deliverables or processes. You need to identify, analyze, prioritize, and respond to the quality risks that may arise during your project. You also need to involve your team in the risk management process and enable them to anticipate and mitigate the potential threats and opportunities that may affect the quality of their work.

5 Evaluate quality outcomes

The fifth step to creating a quality-focused team is to evaluate the quality outcomes of your project. Quality outcomes are the results and benefits that your project delivers to your clients, stakeholders, and organization. You need to measure and report the quality outcomes of your project using relevant indicators, metrics, and tools. You also need to solicit and incorporate the feedback and satisfaction of your clients and stakeholders, and celebrate and share the successes and lessons learned with your team.

6 Enhance quality capability

The sixth step to creating a quality-focused team is to enhance the quality capability of your team and yourself. Quality capability is the ability and readiness of your team to deliver quality in your current and future projects. You need to assess and develop the quality capability of your team by identifying and addressing the gaps and needs in their competencies, resources, and tools. You also need to invest in your own professional development and seek for opportunities to learn and grow as a project leader.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?