---
ref_id: PR17
ref_type: Process
ref_name: "Plan Quality Management"
version: "1.0.0"
status: Active
pmbok8_source: "PMBOK8 Guide §2.2"
companion_ref_shortcode: PG-APG-5.14
related_skills:
  - SKL-04-02
related_artifacts:
  - A09
  - A38
file_path: "reference/processes/PR17-plan-quality-management.md"
---
# PR17 — Plan Quality Management

## Classification
- **Performance Domain:** Scope (Quality is integrated into Scope in PMBOK 8)
- **Process Group:** Planning
- **PMBOK 8 Reference:** Section 2.2 (Define Scope integrates quality requirements)
- **Process Groups Practice Guide Reference:** Section 5.14

---

## Purpose
Plan Quality Management is the process of identifying quality requirements and/or standards for the project and its deliverables, and documenting how the project will demonstrate compliance. The key benefit is that it provides guidance and direction on how quality will be managed and verified throughout the project.

---

## Inputs
- Project charter
- Project management plan (requirements management plan, risk management plan, stakeholder engagement plan, scope baseline)
- Project documents: assumption log, requirements documentation, requirements traceability matrix, risk register, stakeholder register
- Enterprise environmental factors
- Organizational process assets

---

## Tools & Techniques
- Expert judgment
- Data gathering (benchmarking, brainstorming, interviews)
- Data analysis (cost-benefit analysis, cost of quality)
- Decision making (multicriteria decision analysis)
- Data representation (flowcharts, logical data model, matrix diagrams, mind mapping)
- Test and inspection planning
- Meetings

---

## Outputs
- Quality management plan
- Quality metrics
- Project management plan updates (risk management plan, scope baseline)
- Project documents updates (lessons learned register, requirements traceability matrix, risk register, stakeholder register)

---

## Key Concepts
- Quality management integrates into scope definition in PMBOK 8; quality requirements and standards are identified as part of Define Scope.
- Cost of quality (CoQ) includes cost of conformance (prevention, appraisal) and cost of non-conformance (internal/external failures).
- Test and inspection planning determines how deliverables will be evaluated against stakeholder expectations.
- Quality metrics define specific attributes and how they will be measured.

---

## Source Traceability
- PMBOK 8: Section 2.2.2.3 (Define Scope includes quality management plan)
- Process Groups Practice Guide: Section 5.14

---

## Cross-References

| Related Item | Type | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| A09 | Artifact | Primary artifact produced or updated by this process |
| A38 | Artifact | Primary artifact produced or updated by this process |
| SKL-04-02 | Skill | Skill that executes this process |

## Practitioner Notes

Practitioners executing this process should seek answers to the following questions:
1. Are quality standards and metrics defined before execution begins?
2. Is the cost of quality (CoQ) analysis documented in the plan?
3. Are quality assurance and quality control activities clearly differentiated?
4. Are quality roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths defined?
5. Is the quality management plan integrated with the risk and scope management plans?

## Change Log

| Version | Date | Description | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.1 | 2026-06-03 | Added Cross-References, Practitioner Notes, and Change Log sections (F-12 Batch 4) | PMO Director |
