By: Mr. Piper, Joel, Marten, Protocol, FDNY
When you're working on a project—whether it's building something, launching a product, or even organizing an event—quality is what separates "just done" from "done right."
But here's the catch: most projects face pressure to go faster, cost less, and still deliver high standards. And let's be real—when time or money gets tight, quality is usually the first thing to take a hit. So how do you protect the quality of your project while keeping everything else in check?
Here's how we do it in 5 straight-up steps that'll keep your quality game strong from start to finish:
1. Define What "Quality" Even Means
Every project is different. What counts as "great" in one situation might be totally off the mark in another. So the first step? Get super clear on what quality looks like for your specific project.
Ask yourself:
• What does "good" look like?
• What would make the client or customer happy?
• Are there industry standards I need to meet?
You have to define this early—before the planning even begins. That way, you're building the whole project around a clear goal from the jump.
2. Set Targets and Lock Them Into the Plan
Once you've defined what quality looks like, the next move is to set targets. Think of these like checkpoints or milestones. They help you know if you're on track—or falling behind.
Use planning tools (yes, the ones that might seem boring at first) to set these milestones in place. Add them to your calendar, whiteboard, task app—wherever your team can see them.
When you map out your quality targets, you're saying:
"This is what we expect to hit—and here's when we'll know if we're getting there."
3. Share the Goals with Everyone Involved
Here's the truth: if the team doesn't know what the quality goals are, they're just guessing. That's like sending someone on a mission without telling them what success looks like.
You have to talk about quality goals early and often—in team meetings, in updates, and in the tools everyone uses. Don't assume people know; make it impossible to miss.
Pro move: Create a one-pager or quick checklist that outlines the quality targets and who's responsible for what.
4. Measure the Work Along the Way
This part's key: Don't wait until the project is almost done to find out something's off.
Set up smart ways to measure quality as the project goes. This could be:
• Testing products or features regularly
• Doing quick reviews or audits
• Asking for feedback early, not just at the end
The idea is to catch issues before they grow into full-on disasters. Small tweaks early save you a ton of stress later.
5. Take Action if Something's Not Right
If something's falling short of the quality targets, don't ignore it. Don't hope it magically fixes itself. (Spoiler: it won't.)
Instead, bring the right people to the table—team leads, partners, clients, whoever has a stake—and have an honest conversation:
• What's going wrong?
• Why is it off track?
• What can we change to fix it?
Then make the changes. Fast. Projects that protect quality are the ones where problems get solved early—not buried.
Pro Tip: Don't Forget External Expectations
If you're working with clients, vendors, or outside partners, check their quality requirements from the start. It's easy to get laser-focused on your own plan and forget that someone else might have their own standards you're supposed to meet.
Use project tools that let you share updates with external stakeholders—just the stuff they need to see. You can control what they see, so they stay informed but not overwhelmed. This also builds trust and makes you look squared away.
In our projects, for example, we use built-in chat and sharing tools to stay connected with remote teammates and partners. It's way better than random emails or scattered files—and it's becoming the new normal in how people work together.
One Last Thing: Communication Is Everything
Here's the bottom line: if nobody knows what the quality goals are, or when they're changing, the project is headed for trouble. Communication is how you avoid that risk.
• Keep people informed.
• Talk about the goals.
• Call things out early.
Because once quality falls apart, it's hard (and expensive) to fix.
TL;DR – Quality Success in 5 Moves:
1. Define quality early—Know what "great" means.
2. Set targets—Plan around real milestones.
3. Tell your team—Make sure everyone's on the same page.
4. Measure the work—Test, check, and review along the way.
5. Take action fast—Fix problems before they blow up.
If you do these right, you'll not only hit your quality goals—you'll stand out as someone who delivers results that actually last. And in any field, that's the kind of rep that opens doors.
