Quality manager

Question 1

Jepsen, Mathiassen and Nielsen (1989) argue that using diaries is a good way of maintaining quality in projects. Justify their argument.

Answer 1

They say that diaries can help keep quality high in projects. Diaries help team members reflect on their work, learn from it, and improve how they work together.

Unlike personal diaries, the focus here is on professional development and team-based insights during systems development.

In short, diaries help teams think during the project, not just after. That helps improve quality, learning, and collaboration

Question 2

Jepsen, Mathiassen and Nielsen present seven practical pieces of advice that show how diaries improve project quality. Explain them.

Answer 2

Clarify the intention

Be disciplined and careful

Use checklists

Be selective and thorough

Plan when to write

Reflect on how to write

Use related techniques

Question 3

Clarify the intention

Answer 3

Knowing why the diary is used makes the input more relevant.

Question 4

Be disciplined and careful

Answer 4

Consistent use ensures more value and reliability

Question 5

Use checklists

Answer 5

Helps focus on key project aspects like methods, conditions, and user needs.

Question 6

Be selective and thorough

Answer 6

Encourages deep reflection on problems, not just surface notes.

Question 7

Plan when to write

Answer 7

Create a habit, for example after meetings or tasks

Question 8

Reflect on how to write

Answer 8

Teams can choose a style that works for them

Question 9

Use related techniques

Answer 9

Notes, reviews, and mapping can make the diary even more helpful

Question 10

Köster (2010) refers to a “Magic Triangle” in PM. Review what she is referring to and provide examples.

Answer 10

The magic triangle is
- Time
- Budget
- Scope

A project must be delivered on time, within budget, and to the agreed scope, but improving one often affects the others. For example, if the scope increases, it may require more time and higher costs.

Question 11

Magic triangle in our project

Answer 11

In our prevention project, we had:
- A fixed timeline (two workshops per school)
- A limited budget
- A defined scope (targeting minority-background boys in 2nd year).

If we had decided to include more schools (increasing scope), we would likely need more time and extra resources, which could challenge the triangle.

Köster emphasizes that good project managers must balance all three elements. This can be harder in international projects because resources are limited and things are more complex.