PMP® Exam Quality Primer: The Quality Gurus – Philip B. Crosby
PMP® Exam Quality Primer: The Quality Gurus – Philip B. Crosby (#3 in the series PMP® Exam Quality Primer)
By Samuel T. Brown, III, PMP, Global Knowledge Course Director and Instructor
Crosby simply defines quality as conformance. He’s known best for his advocacy of zero defects management and prevention as opposed to a statistically acceptable level of quality. He is also known for his Quality Vaccine and Crosby’s Fourteen Steps to Quality Improvement.
Crosby’s Quality Vaccine
Crosby’s Quality Vaccine consists of three ingredients:
- Determination
- Education
- Implementation
Crosby’s Fourteen Steps to Quality Improvement
- Make it clear that management is committed to quality for the long term.
- Form cross-departmental quality teams.
- Identify where current and potential problems exist.
- Assess the cost of quality and explain how it is used as a management tool.
- Increase the quality awareness and personal commitment of all employees.
- Take immediate action to correct problems identified.
- Establish a zero defect program.
- Train supervisors to carry out their responsibilities in the quality program.
- Hold a Zero Defects Day to ensure all employees are aware there is a new direction.
- Encourage individuals and teams to establish both personal and team improvements.
- Encourage employees to tell management about obstacles they face in trying to meet quality goals.
- Recognize employees who participate.
- Implement quality controls to promote continual communication.
- Repeat everything to illustrate that quality improvement is a never-ending process.
About the Author
Samuel Brown, PMP, is a course developer and instructor for Global Knowledge with 25 years experience teaching. In addition, he has provided project management consulting services for a variety of clients including GE, Glaxo Smith-Klein, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Michelin Tire, and IBM.
This article was originally published in Global Knowledge’s Business Brief e-newsletter. Global Knowledge delivers comprehensive hands-on project management, business process, and professional skills training. Visit our online Knowledge Center at www.globalknowledge.com/business for free white papers, webinars, and more.
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