Determining Performance Standards

When we typically think of performance, we think of attributes such as efficiency and effectiveness. In project management, performance has a more specific meaning: the quality of the activities performed. The following are examples of quality measurement:

  • Measurements of the customers’ perception of quality

  • Manufacturing: rejected parts as a percentage of all parts produced

  • Machining: machine hours within prescribed limits as a percentage of all machine hours (statistical process control)

  • Education: percentage of graduates who pass a standardized competency test

  • Medicine: percentage of patients who respond positively to a course of treatment

  • Software engineering: lines of error-free code as a percentage of all lines of code

In the XYZ-BOT project, we could use a number of different measures. For example, we could have trainees fill out an evaluation form at the end of the class. We already have a posttest in place that serves as one measure of training quality. The goal of the XYZ-BOT project, however, is increased trainee software proficiency so trainees can use specific templates and applications. So, we need to measure training transfer—differences in employee performance with the software after training. If every trainee shows marked improvement in the posttest but still can’t use the templates created at corporate headquarters, the project is a failure. (It may be a project design failure rather than faulty implementation, but it’s still a failure.)

Large companies require quality certification for approved vendors. If you work for a large organization, you’re probably familiar with the quality measurements and methods used in your company, or you may have quality specialists on staff who can help you determine appropriate standards for activities in your project.

If your organization doesn’t have standard agreements or measurements in place, work with the project’s customers and stakeholders to determine the appropriate quality standards that you can communicate to project participants, including employees and vendors. You’ll find more information about quality standards and measurements in Chapter 13.



Mastering Microsoft Project 2002
Mastering Microsoft Project 2002
ISBN: 0782141471
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 241

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