A paper presented to the International Seminar on Project Management for Developing Countries, September 4 to 6, 1991, in New Delhi, India. The audience was made up of mostly construction people, but much of the following content could equally apply to large projects in other areas of application.

Executive Summary  | Index | Part 1 | Part 2 | Conclusions | References

Scope and Quality

If specific technological aspects of the project such as engineering, manufacturing or constructibility, are to be reviewed, such an investigation must clearly be conducted by those thoroughly conversant with the project's technology. In addition, most projects today have some degree of recognizable environmental, social or safety impacts. If these have not already been analyzed and arrangements made for monitoring and mitigation, then persons with corresponding knowledge and experience must undertake such review.

Even so, certain general management questions can be formulated with regard to the technical scope and quality of the project.

For example: Is the scope consistent with the project's goals, and are these goals consistent with current market opportunities? Has it been sufficiently developed prior to the commencement of project planning, in order to avoid, or at least minimize changes and enhancements during project implementation?

Have the major stakeholders been involved in this development process, and are they required to sign off on the plan prior to implementation?

Have the expected results of the project been defined in measurable terms in order to facilitate control during implementation, and will the stakeholders be required to signify acceptance upon completion?

Is all of this clearly understood by the project team?

In the case of quality: has the project's executive given priority to building the required quality standards into the project planning and execution process right from the outset? Is this standard consistent with production, operation, maintenance, safety and social acceptability expectations, so that the facility will perform economically during its life time. Indeed will the facility last for its required life time?

Have the members of the project team been selected on the basis of their qualifications for their respective roles, and likewise will similar considerations be given to those providing detailed design and/or construction services during project execution?

Are meeting the end-user's requirements seen as being at least as important as, if not more important than, meeting cost and schedule targets, and will a post project review include a critique of the project's quality attainment?

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