PDP9

The BCS PDP9 exam (Professional Diploma in Project Management, module 9: Project Quality Management) focuses on the principles and practices of managing quality throughout the project lifecycle. The main points typically covered include:

• Understanding Quality: Defining quality, different perspectives on quality (customer, product, process), and the relationship between quality and project success. This also includes understanding quality standards and frameworks (e.g., ISO 9000).

• Quality Planning: Defining quality objectives, identifying quality requirements, creating a quality management plan, and selecting appropriate quality control methods and tools. This involves understanding the different types of quality processes – preventative versus reactive.

• Quality Assurance: Implementing processes and activities to ensure the project delivers the required quality. This includes audits, reviews, and continuous improvement. Understanding the difference between quality assurance and quality control is key.

• Quality Control: Monitoring and measuring project work and deliverables to ensure they meet the specified quality requirements. This includes techniques like inspection, testing, and analysis of metrics. This section usually emphasizes the use of appropriate tools and techniques for monitoring quality and identifying issues early.

• Quality Improvement: Identifying areas for improvement in project processes and implementing changes to prevent defects and enhance quality. This often includes understanding concepts like Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement methodologies.

• Cost of Quality: Understanding the different costs associated with quality, including prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure costs. Balancing these costs is a crucial aspect of effective quality management.

• Risk Management and Quality: Understanding how quality risks can impact a project and how to manage those risks. This will include identifying, analyzing, and responding to risks that could compromise quality.

• Stakeholder Management and Quality: Understanding how different stakeholders' perspectives on quality influence project decisions and how to manage expectations around quality.

• Tools and Techniques: The exam expects you to be familiar with various quality management tools and techniques such as:

  • Control Charts: Used for monitoring process stability.
  • Pareto Charts: Used for identifying the most significant causes of defects.
  • Cause-and-Effect Diagrams (Fishbone Diagrams): Used for identifying potential causes of problems.
  • Checklists: Used for ensuring that all necessary steps are taken.
  • Histograms: Used for visualizing the distribution of data.
  • Scatter Diagrams: Used to investigate the correlation between two variables.

The exam will likely involve scenario-based questions requiring you to apply your knowledge and understanding of these concepts to real-world project situations. Remember to focus on the practical application of these quality management principles. Refer to the official BCS syllabus for the most accurate and up-to-date information.