While reviewing the quality of deliverables with the team the project manager determines the several quality issues could have been avoided by using a simple checklist. The checklist is then implemented for future deliverables.
What did the project manager do in this situation?
a) Used corrective action b) Conducted a lesson learned meeting c) Used preventive action d) Facilitated a respective Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
This can be considered as lessons learned meeting for sure and since those actions will be used for future deliverables, then they are preventive actions. I am leaning more towards C.
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1 reply by Raz Sid
Feb 25, 2021 3:31 PM
Raz Sid
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Rami, This one actually was a practice question (from a well known vendor) that I marked as "Preventive" for exactly the same reasons that you and Keith described. But for some reason(s), the tool displayed my response as incorrect and gave the following reasons why. Their following reason clearly indicates that the answer is "Corrective". I wonder why?
"Corrective action is an intentional activity that realigns the performance of the project work with the project management plan."
I would say it is both A and C. The checklist did not correct the quality issues on the project deliverables so it is not a corrective action in that sense, but it addresses and corrects the root cause to benefit future project deliverables by preventing re-occurrance. Saving Changes...
This can be considered as lessons learned meeting for sure and since those actions will be used for future deliverables, then they are preventive actions. I am leaning more towards C.
Rami, This one actually was a practice question (from a well known vendor) that I marked as "Preventive" for exactly the same reasons that you and Keith described. But for some reason(s), the tool displayed my response as incorrect and gave the following reasons why. Their following reason clearly indicates that the answer is "Corrective". I wonder why?
"Corrective action is an intentional activity that realigns the performance of the project work with the project management plan."
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Feb 25, 2021 3:37 PM
Rami Kaibni
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Raz
Both preventive and corrective actions are intentional activities. However, it's true, that corrective actions realigns current "defective" work with the project objectives, plan, schedule, etc but that wasn't the case in this scenario as the checklist will be implemented for future deliverables, not the current ones that deviated from the plan and that's called preventive action.
Regardless who the vendor is, their rational for the correct answer doesn't make full sense to me in addition to that the question is a bit poorly worded.
Keith, I agree with yours and Rami's responses. But please read my response to Rami.
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1 reply by Keith Novak
Feb 25, 2021 5:59 PM
Keith Novak
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The problem with the question as written is that there are really multiple items to consider: past deliverables, future deliverables, and the process to create deliverables.
If it was a purely corrective action, the checklist would have resolved the quality issues with the past deliverables. It doesn't do that. It prevents future problems by correcting the process deficiencies that led to issues.
At my employer, we use a process called Root Cause Corrective Action, where we identify the root cause of prior problems to prevent them in the future. That's why I say it's both corrective and preventative. It does not correct the existing quality issues, but it does take corrective action on the process to prevent their re-occurrance.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 25, 2021 3:31 PM
Replying to Raz Sid
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Rami, This one actually was a practice question (from a well known vendor) that I marked as "Preventive" for exactly the same reasons that you and Keith described. But for some reason(s), the tool displayed my response as incorrect and gave the following reasons why. Their following reason clearly indicates that the answer is "Corrective". I wonder why?
"Corrective action is an intentional activity that realigns the performance of the project work with the project management plan."
Raz
Both preventive and corrective actions are intentional activities. However, it's true, that corrective actions realigns current "defective" work with the project objectives, plan, schedule, etc but that wasn't the case in this scenario as the checklist will be implemented for future deliverables, not the current ones that deviated from the plan and that's called preventive action.
Regardless who the vendor is, their rational for the correct answer doesn't make full sense to me in addition to that the question is a bit poorly worded.
RK
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1 reply by Bob Cunningham
Feb 26, 2021 10:16 AM
Bob Cunningham
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The distinction is that a "correction" is fixing the problem after it happened (i.e. rework) and "corrective action" is an action to prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future (i.e. updating a procedure or work instruction).
Perhaps it can be seen as a corrective action in the viewpoint of the Quality Management Process. The introduction of the checklist corrects a lack of quality reviewing. But in the viewpoint of the finished deliverables, it is a preventive action, because the solution helps to avoid future defects, but doesn't correct the ones of the deliverables already created. Saving Changes...
Keith, I agree with yours and Rami's responses. But please read my response to Rami.
The problem with the question as written is that there are really multiple items to consider: past deliverables, future deliverables, and the process to create deliverables.
If it was a purely corrective action, the checklist would have resolved the quality issues with the past deliverables. It doesn't do that. It prevents future problems by correcting the process deficiencies that led to issues.
At my employer, we use a process called Root Cause Corrective Action, where we identify the root cause of prior problems to prevent them in the future. That's why I say it's both corrective and preventative. It does not correct the existing quality issues, but it does take corrective action on the process to prevent their re-occurrance. Saving Changes...
In the quality systems I've seen, a corrective action takes place after a problem has occurred. A preventative action is not in direct response to a problem that has occurred, but is more along the lines of continuous improvement.
So in this case since there were problems in the project, I would classify it as a corrective action.
I have not vetted this against PMI material but is just my own industry experience.
Both preventive and corrective actions are intentional activities. However, it's true, that corrective actions realigns current "defective" work with the project objectives, plan, schedule, etc but that wasn't the case in this scenario as the checklist will be implemented for future deliverables, not the current ones that deviated from the plan and that's called preventive action.
Regardless who the vendor is, their rational for the correct answer doesn't make full sense to me in addition to that the question is a bit poorly worded.
RK
The distinction is that a "correction" is fixing the problem after it happened (i.e. rework) and "corrective action" is an action to prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future (i.e. updating a procedure or work instruction).
-Bob C.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Feb 26, 2021 11:05 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Bob
You can certainly look at it from this angle too, neither of us is wrong. I believe the question and answers are a bit poorly worded. The definition of both is as follows:
Corrective action: Action to eliminate the cause of a nonconformity and to prevent recurrence.
Preventive action: Action to eliminate the cause of a potential nonconformity or other potential undesirable situation.
In the scenario presented, you can consider the PM used a corrective action to prevent reoccurrence but at the same time, the scenario mentioned he used those actions for future deliverables, basically to avoid future non-conformity which makes it a preventive action too. It’s a double edged sword when you look into the details of the scenario.
RK
Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
The PM corrected a process by applying lessons learned in order to prevent or mitigate the risk of continued quality failures. To me option a) is the most appropriate answer. Saving Changes...
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