Quality or Content

Apr 23, 2014

Hi all,

In the worst case scenario for a project and no alternatives available to you, which would you compromise or could you compromise on? 

The overall quality of the project

or 

the content of the project.

8 Replies
David Charney

This depends on what quality is. The content is important but the way it is presented is also important. They work off each other. I would say that content is more important. Ultimately, without content, the highest quality project is going to accomplish nothing. A low quality module with content at least provides information. 

Bruce Graham

@Jackie/@Nancy...

Probably yes, and my answer was possibly too glib.

The reality is, to answer this I would want more specific information.

@Jackie - even if internal rather than my position, the "Client - Supplier" relationship still stands. Someone has requested the course, and someone is in charge of the resource budget, which affects both time and requests.

I would want to know a lot more about the impact, and the ROI/payback.

If there is very little measurable ROI for example, (common in so many training cases...), then you could potentially alter both quality and quantity, and still have no "business impact" per se.

In truth - I do not think there is a standard answer to the question, there will be a whole raft of business and political dynamics that need to be taken into consideration. If there is a resource problem, perhaps just get ALL the information out, but change the "quality" by using an email with links to self-reading on an intranet, for example?

Ashley Chiasson

I agree with Bruce - whichever the client agrees to; however, sacrificing content can get you into hot water if you're teaching important subject matter (e.g. leaving out that over-torquing warning for an aircraft maintenance course could cost someone their life)! - In the case of technical training, I would lean toward quality - it's always something you can fix later on if the client's in a rush.

Ralf  Baum

There is no option to keep an eye on the best quality as possible. This is just a security factor for your work.

Example:
You produce sth. for a client and it is created in "red-alert" urgency. It is really quick and dirty. Of course this may satisfy the client for the handover day. But do not forget that people who have an eye for quality will see if sth. is blurry, the audio quality is mediocre or if a roll-over does not work properly.

What will happen then?
These people will say that you are rolling out content in a bad quality.


By working in larger companies I have this rule:

Content is only allowed to have the quick and dirty - factor as long as all users know you by first name or at least know where your desk in the office is.
If your users do not fulfill these conditions, then do not prefer content to quality.

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