Quality Management System
An organization-wide framework that defines the policies, processes, procedures, and resources used to carry out the project’s quality management plan. The project’s quality management plan should align with and be compatible with the organization’s quality management system.
Key Points
- It is a company-level structure that governs how quality is managed across all projects and operations.
- It sets the standards, methods, procedures, roles, and resources that projects must follow for quality.
- The project quality management plan must align with the organization’s QMS; tailoring requires organizational approval.
- Includes mechanisms for quality assurance, audits, and continuous improvement (e.g., lessons learned, corrective actions).
Example
A firm certified to ISO 9001 has a QMS that specifies coding standards, review checklists, defect thresholds, and audit routines. When a new software project begins, the project manager creates a quality management plan that references these standards, uses the prescribed checklists, and follows the audit schedule defined by the organization’s QMS.
PMP Example Question
Which statement best describes a Quality Management System (QMS) in the context of a project?
- The document that explains how a specific project will meet its quality requirements.
- The organization-level set of policies, processes, procedures, and resources that projects must align with when implementing quality.
- The inspection activities that verify deliverables meet specified requirements.
- The ongoing activities that improve processes to ensure standards are followed during the project.
Correct Answer: B — Quality Management System
Explanation: A QMS is the organizational framework for quality. Option A is the project’s quality management plan, C is quality control, and D is quality assurance.
