Scope and quality management are key to project success. Here, you define the project scope, control it, and validate it to ensure the deliverables meet the requirements and expectations.
Control quality and validate scope are two essential processes that help you achieve these objectives. They help you build the right product correctly and ensure the project sponsor accepts it.
I will explain the control quality vs validate scope in today’s article.
Let’s get started.
Control Quality Vs Validate Scope
Before I differentiate between control quality and validate scope, let me clarify two key terms in quality management that often confuse many professionals.
These terms are “validate” and “verify.” I have encountered experienced project managers who don’t fully grasp the difference between these terms.
Verification is about building the product correctly. In this process, you inspect the deliverable for completeness and correctness, ensuring it aligns with the specified requirements and standards. This internal process confirms that all requirements and specifications have been met. A quality control engineer performs the verification process.
Validation focuses on building the right product. This process ensures that the product meets customer requirements and expectations. Validation involves the project manager working with the client or other stakeholders and comes after verification.
Let’s consider an example: Suppose you plan to launch a new product. After developing it, you check to see if it matches the design and specifications. If it does, you have verified the product.
Once you launch the product and receive positive customer feedback—sales exceeding expectations and customer satisfaction—you have validated the product, confirming it fulfills customer requirements.
Now, let’s move on to the topic of this blog post. Many professionals mistakenly believe control quality and validate scope are similar processes since both involve inspection and review of deliverables. This assumption is incorrect; they are distinct processes. Let me explain further.
Control Quality
According to the PMBOK Guide, “Control quality is the process of monitoring and recording the results of executing quality management activities to assess performance and ensure that project outputs are complete, correct, and meet customer expectations.”
You perform the control quality process internally during the execution phase to ensure that deliverables are defect-free and meet the specified requirements. If deviations are found, you recommend corrective actions.
In simple terms, this process involves inspecting the deliverables for their correctness.
Example of the Control Quality Process
Imagine you have a project to construct a 200-mile road. You appoint a quality control engineer to oversee the work during the project. This engineer will check the deliverables at each stage, including the quality of raw materials, the road’s elevation, the slope of curves, and the alignment of footpaths, among other factors.
If the engineer identifies any changes in the process or product, they will take corrective actions.
This example illustrates the activities involved in quality control.
Validate Scope
According to the PMBOK Guide, “Validate scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables.”
Once the product is ready, the project manager carries out the validate scope process with the client, aiming to obtain formal acceptance of the product.
You verify the product during the control quality process and then validate it with the client in the validate scope process.
Example of the Validate Scope Process
Continuing with the previous road construction project example, let’s say you have completed 50 miles of the 200-mile road. You invite the client to inspect this portion and provide acceptance so you can receive payment.
During the inspection, the client checks various parameters, including the road’s width, the alignment of the footpath, and the overall length. They also assess the strength of the road.
Once the client is satisfied with the inspection results, they sign an acceptance letter, allowing you to receive payment for the completed work.
This scenario illustrates the Validate Scope process.
It is important to note that validation doesn’t always occur at the end of the project; it can happen during execution alongside the control quality process, as demonstrated above. In this case, the client accepted the 50-mile completed road while you continued working on the remaining sections.
Similarities Between Control Quality and Validate Scope
The following are a few similarities between control quality and validate scope processes:
- Focus on Deliverables: Both processes concern the project deliverables. Control quality ensures they meet the required standards, and validate scope ensures they meet stakeholder expectations.
- Involvement of Stakeholders: Both processes may involve key stakeholders, though validate scope more directly involves formal acceptance from the client or project sponsor.
- Occur During Monitoring & Controlling: Both processes are part of the monitoring and controlling phase in project management.
- Both Use Work Performance Data: Both processes use work performance data, though they interpret and use it differently for their objectives.
- Input of Verified Deliverables: Validate scope uses deliverables that have already passed through control quality, ensuring that only verified deliverables are validated by stakeholders.
Differences Between Control Quality and Validate Scope
| Parameter | Control Quality | Validate Scope |
| Purpose | Ensures that deliverables meet quality standards and specifications. | Ensures that deliverables meet the acceptance criteria and are approved by the stakeholders. |
| Focus | Focuses on internal quality standards and correctness. | Focuses on stakeholder approval and meeting the agreed-upon scope. It is an external process. |
| Involvement | Primarily involves the project team and quality control staff. | Primarily involves the client, sponsor, or other key stakeholders for formal acceptance. |
| Timing | Performed throughout the project as deliverables are produced. | Performed at the end of project phases or project when deliverables are completed. |
| Output | Outputs include quality control measurements, verified deliverables, and change requests. | Outputs include accepted deliverables, change requests, and project document updates. |
| Tools & Techniques | Inspection, control charts, statistical sampling, and testing. | Inspection, product reviews, audits, and acceptance criteria comparison. |
| Result | Ensures the deliverables are correct and free from defects. | Ensures the deliverables are acceptable to stakeholders and formally signed off. |
Summary
The control quality and validate scope processes are both part of the monitoring and controlling process group. While they both involve inspecting deliverables, their purposes are distinct.
Control quality ensures that the product is built correctly from the outset, helping identify and correct defects during production. Validate scope helps obtain formal acceptance from the client, confirming that the completed deliverables meet their requirements and expectations.
These processes complement each other, ensuring that you not only build a high-quality product but also secure client approval, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes.
Further Readings:
- Seven Basic Tools of Quality
- Quality Assurance vs Quality Control
- Grade versus Quality
- Product Scope vs Project Scope
- Scope Baseline: A Guide with Definition, Examples & Templates
References:
This topic is important from a PMP exam point of view.
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
How do quality management processes ensure that project deliverables meet the required standards and stakeholder expectations?
You will qualify the risk first.
Hi Sir,
Can explain below question?
As the manager of a small construction project, you are nearing project closing when a previously unidentified risk is identified by one of the team members. The risk could affect the project success and on time completion. What should your next action be?
A. Develop Risk Mitigation Plans
B.Qualify the Risk
C. Develop the work around
D. Inform your managers about the newly discovered risk and its impact.
Hey Fahad
Thanks so much for all the blog posts I will be writing the pmp test next tomorrow . You will be the first to know how it goes.
I just want to add that it is important to distinguish that the “deliverables” in we are checking out during the validate scope are interem deliverable since it is at close phase or project that the ” final” delieverables will be validated. Hope you get my point!
Hello Solomon, I hope you would have passed the exam.
The deliverable may or may not be internal.
Its an awesome post & spoon fed
Thanks Hari.
Nice read
Thanks Rondity.
You need to write a project management book. This is the best explanation I have found. Your explanation was so vivid and in layman terms that I could visualize and fully comprehend the concepts. I usually don’t leave comments but I had to in this case.
Thanks Michelle, though I’ve written several ebooks.
Hi Fahad. I was reading your blog post, and i would say that some of the information you wrote here is incorrect. Based on CAPM Exam Prep: Rita Mulcahy’s Course in a Book for Passing the CAPM Exam, and PMBOK 5th edition, it says that the validate scope process occurs many times during the project execution, in order to validate the project deliverables with the customer/sponsor. So, the validate scope is not performed only at the end of the phase or project. Also, there is an important detail missing in the post, in relation with the dependency between the Control Quality process and Validate Scope. So, the project deliverable or product is not submitted to the customer’s formal acceptance, during Validate scope process, before the project deliverable / product is not verified in relation with quality control. So, the quality control internally happens first, in order to ensure that the project deliverable / product respects the quality requirements and standards defined, and then if there are no change requests, it is valid to be submitted to the customer for formal acceptance during validate scope process. Have a look and see if it makes sense what i am saying.
Thanks,
HB
Please refer to the following references:
The PMBOK Guide, fifth edition, page: 133
Validate Scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables.
The PMBOK Guide, fifth edition, page: 134
The verified deliverables obtained from the Control Quality process are reviewed with the customer or sponsor to ensure that they are completed satisfactorily and have received formal acceptance of the deliverables by the customer or sponsor.
excellent
Thanks Insaf.
Hi
I am slightly confused about when “Validate scope” is performed. The article has 2 contradictory statements:-
1. “Please note, it is not necessary that the validate scope process should be performed at the end of the project. This process can be performed before the project ends;”
2. “and validate scope is performed at the end of the project.”.
The latter one seems to be more correct.
But could you please clarify again whether Validate scope should ONLY be performed at the end of the project or can be done even while the project is still on going. What about the first statement. ?
Thanks
Vidita
Sorry for inconvenience Vidita. The blog post is corrected.
Thanks. After reading the other comments and replies my doubt got clarified. Started reading your blogs on project management recently. Very nice and simple explanations. Thanks again.
You are welcome Vidita.
Excellent explanation Fahad! No wonder it is the first search result in Google.
It saves my day(exam)! Thank you!
You are welcome Joe.
Well explanations of this two terminologies. I am getting to understand this new language.
Thanks for your comment Alejandro.
Excellent explanation, Your blog post is really nice and clear the gray area between these two process.
Thank you Abubakr for your comment.
Fahad,
I found your explanation very helpful.
Another way to say this is, control quality verifies the product was built to the project specs (compared to requirements documents), while validate scope verifies that the project specs were proper, i.e. did we make the right thing (are the requirement documents correct). So if we wrote the specs wrong, it would pass control quality, but fail validate scope.
Well said Larry.
Your blog post is really good. However, I do have the same question as Norman. I think what is confusing is that you have written the following sentence in your comparison section:
“Control quality is usually performed at the end of the phase, and validate scope is performed at the end of the project.” This sentence makes one think that “Validate Scope” is only performed once in the project.
Control Quality and Validate Scope are both part of Monitor and Control Process. “Validate Scope” is not just performed at the end of the project. Like you mentioned the aim of “Validate Scope” is to get “frmal acceptance” from client of a deliverable. So it can be performed every time a verified deliverable is ready to be approved by the client. The formal documentation from the “Accepted Deliverables” which is an output of of “Validate Scope” is forwarded for the final “Close Project/Phase” Process.
I have already clarified in above comment about this issue.
“So the validated scope will be performed whenever the deliverable is completed or the main product is completed.”
Fahad, i got a question, as you say:
“•Control quality is usually performed at the end of the phase, and validate scope is performed at the end of the Project”
Are u sure that validate scope is only performed at the end of the Project or when you have a deliverable completed and presenting it to your client?
so if you have like, 10 deliverables, every time one is completed control quality kicks in, to check if it has been created/developed in the right way according to requirements/specifications, but only when the 10 are completed (thus completing the scope at least internally) only then you go to your client and validate scope kicks in?
thats how it is cos thats what i’m getting from your assertion.
I said that:
The validate scope process is performed by the project manager with the client after the deliverable or the product is completed.
And according to the PMBOK Guide:
Validate Scope is the process of formalizing acceptance of the completed project deliverables
So the validated scope will be performed whenever the deliverable is completed or the main product is completed.
Excellent explanation on control quality and validatescope
Thanks Ramakkannu for your comment.
So, why PMBOK is saying “Validated Changes” in Control Quality process for Change Requests? As per your explanation, it should be “Verified Changes”! Is not it?
You will inspect the changes (i.e. verify), then accept or reject it (i.e. validation). That is why it says “Validated Changes”.
Then, are you saying – Verification and Validation both happen in Control Quality process?
Just asking. Want to know your view.
Hi Som,
Both verification and validation by the team happens in control quality. The primary purpose of control quality is to keep errors out of the customer’s hand.
During validate scope the validation and verification happens again but this time the customer does that as a precursor activity for acceptance of deliverables.
Hope this clarifies your doubt.
As per my understanding, yes.
Verify which us actually an audit so it happens at Perform quality assurance but validate which inspects the deliverable happena at Control quality.
So easy to understand — thank you very much Fahad! Answers several process and deliverable acceptance questions I’ve struggled with for years.
You’re welcome WBHutchins.
Farad, i must confess to you, your blog posts have really helped me to understand Project Management in details. This is another wonderful post.
Thanks Abimbola.
Great post! It really helps to clarify the terminology confusion that comes from the changes between PMBOK v4 to v5.
Thanks Robert for your comment and visit.