In an audit, quality means having an opinion that is supported by the facts. The PCAOB defines what are acceptable procedures for gathering and testing facts.

Quality components to a manufacturing process means that the components work according to the specifications. If the lugnut fits, screws on tight, and doesn’t slip over time, it’s a quality lugnut.

A quality car can mean many things. To the consumer craving speed, quality is going from 0-60 faster than most cars. To the consumer craving mileage, it’s getting better gas mileage than most other cars.

In a project, a quality project manager is one who can get the results desired by the organization sponsoring the project. Results can include specifications in time, cost, and scope.

In all these examples, quality is defined not by the person or organization providing the good or service; it’s defined by the customer.

So if you want to know if you are doing a quality job, ask your customer. Better yet, ask your customer up front what quality on your project means to them. Then go out and overdeliver.