As a project coordinator, you are responsible for ensuring that your project runs smoothly and meets its objectives. But how do you know if you are doing a good job? How do you verify the quality of your project coordination work? In this article, we will discuss some methods and tools that can help you assess and improve your performance as a project coordinator.
The first step to verify the quality of your project coordination work is to define what quality means for your project. Quality criteria are the standards and expectations that you and your stakeholders have for the project outcomes, processes, and deliverables. You can use various sources to identify and document your quality criteria, such as the project charter, the scope statement, the requirements specification, the stakeholder analysis, and the quality management plan. You should also align your quality criteria with the best practices and standards of your industry and organization.
To verify the quality of your project coordination work, regularly assess the following: 1. Communication Effectiveness: Ensure that information is clear, timely, and reaches all relevant team members. Miscommunications can lead to errors or delays. 2. Task and Timeline Management: Monitor project milestones and deadlines. A well-coordinated project stays on schedule, and deviations are addressed promptly. 3. Issue Resolution: Assess how efficiently and effectively issues are identified and resolved. A successful coordinator addresses problems promptly to prevent escalation.
One thing that I have found helpful and also come across during my project coordination efforts has been that you may want to implement more than one level of quality so that the definition of quality is not all encompassing but you may have a tiered system of quality similar to a good better and best type of quality structure where you can achieve different levels in the tier for different requirements and different needs without having to establish one single Global quality criteria and the tailoring your quality verification standards to the particular needs customers and investment for the project
It's only fair to say that working with a well established organization definitely makes it convenient to track, measure & validate data in addition to bookkeeping. Quality of every deliverable involving another party potentially can be drilled down to 3 broad aspects. The primary one being Industry law governing quality & compliance standards, followed by company laws governance and then customised domain relevant quality standards. Each can be measured and rated against historical data available to calculate standing and further evaluate factors involved.
The next step is to measure how well you are meeting your quality criteria. You can use various tools and techniques to collect and analyze data on your quality performance, such as checklists, audits, inspections, surveys, feedback forms, reports, dashboards, and metrics. You should also compare your actual performance with your planned performance, using tools such as variance analysis, earned value analysis, and quality control charts. You should measure your quality performance regularly and consistently throughout the project life cycle, not just at the end.
The final step is to implement actions to improve your quality performance. You can use various methods and tools to identify and address the root causes of quality issues, such as problem-solving, brainstorming, root cause analysis, fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts, and action plans. You should also use the lessons learned from your quality measurement and improvement activities to update and refine your quality criteria, processes, and plans. You should also communicate and collaborate with your stakeholders, team members, and sponsors to ensure that your quality improvement actions are aligned with their expectations and needs.
Another way to verify the quality of your project coordination work is to seek feedback and recognition from others. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities for improvement and learning. Recognition can help you validate your achievements and motivate you to continue delivering high-quality work. You can seek feedback and recognition from various sources, such as your stakeholders, team members, sponsors, mentors, peers, and customers. You can also use various channels and formats, such as face-to-face meetings, online platforms, emails, phone calls, and awards.
One more way to verify the quality of your project coordination work is to review your performance appraisal. Performance appraisal is a formal process of evaluating your work performance against predefined criteria, such as your goals, objectives, competencies, and behaviors. Performance appraisal can help you understand how you are perceived and valued by your organization, as well as how you can improve and grow your career. You can review your performance appraisal with your manager or supervisor, who can provide you with constructive feedback, guidance, and support.
The last way to verify the quality of your project coordination work is to pursue certification and credential. Certification and credential are formal recognition of your knowledge, skills, and experience in project coordination. Certification and credential can help you demonstrate your competence and credibility to your employers, clients, and peers. They can also help you enhance your professional development and career opportunities. You can pursue various certification and credential programs in project coordination, such as the Project Management Institute's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or the International Association of Project Coordinators' Project Coordination Professional (PCP).