Which of the following best defines quality assurance in project management?

• A. Meeting customer demands at any cost
• B. A process of ensuring deliverables meet quality standards
• C. Focusing on quantity over quality
• D. Only assessing quality after project completion

Answer: (B)

Quality assurance in project management is best defined as a process of ensuring deliverables meet quality standards. This involves systematic activities and planned processes that are implemented throughout the project lifecycle to guarantee that the outputs adhere to predetermined specifications and stakeholder expectations. Quality assurance is proactive, emphasizing the creation of procedures to prevent defects and ensure consistent quality in deliverables.

This approach involves establishing quality standards, conducting regular assessments, and fostering a culture of quality within project teams, ensuring that all aspects of a project are aligned with quality objectives throughout the project's duration. By focusing on process-oriented methods, quality assurance helps identify potential issues early, leading to improvements and minimizing the risk of delivering a subpar final product.

In contrast, other choices emphasize detrimental practices or focus on incorrect priorities that could compromise the integrity of project outcomes. Meeting customer demands at any cost disregards necessary standards and potentially sacrifices quality for speed. Prioritizing quantity over quality overlooks the essential aspect of delivering valuable, reliable products or services. Lastly, assessing quality only after project completion limits the ability to address and correct issues throughout the project, which can lead to significant failures and increased costs.