Step 9: Analyze Project Quality and RisksProject Quality: Project quality consists of ensuring that the end product not only meets the customer specifications, but is also one that the sponsor and key business experts actually want to use. The emphasis on project quality is on preventing errors, rather than inspecting the product at the end of the project and then eliminating errors. Project quality also recognizes that quality is a management responsibility and needs to be performed throughout the project. Creating the Quality Plan involves setting the standards, acceptance criteria, and metrics that will be used throughout the project. The plan, then, becomes the foundation for all the quality reviews and inspections performed during the project. It will be used throughout project execution. Project Risks: A risk is an event that may or may not happen, but could have a significant effect on the outcome of a project, if it were to occur. For example, there may be a 50% chance of a significant change in sponsorship in the next few months. Analyzing risks includes making a determination of both the probability that a specific event may occur and if it does, assessing its impact. The quantification of both the probability and impact will lead to determining which are the highest risks that need attention. This can involve a lot of speculation and sometimes call for work by risk specialists. Risk management is not only just about assessing potential risks. It is also about developing risk management plans to understand and communicate how the team will respond to the high-risk events should they occur.
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Step 8: Develop the Staffing Plan
