Quality by Design: Towards the One-Page Quality Portfolio

Craig McDonald

Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of quality and finds that quality is not inherent in an activity or artefact but is an organisationally defined concept to be derived from attributes that are inherent. Therefore we need to specify what it is that counts as quality in any particular artefact or activity. It considers an approach, "Quality, by design", that accommodates the specification of the quality attributes and the design of artefacts and activities that embed those attributes. It has suggested that academic responsibility can be a motivation and an enabler for quality improvement by academics. A corollary of "Quality, by design" is there should be no overaching quality assurance system separate from the work itself. Because quality is embedded differently in all levels and kinds of artefacts and activities, there is no need for more - quality is assured where the work is done. A quality portfolio should therefore consist only of a method for a quality auditor to access the operational, real, quality work of the university.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of AUQF 2008 : Quality & Standards in Higher Education : Making a Difference
EditorsAnthony Stella
Place of PublicationCanberra
PublisherAustralian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA)
Pages61-67
Number of pages7
Volume16
ISBN (Print)9781877090936
Publication statusPublished - 2008
EventQuality & Standards in Higher Education: Making a Difference - Canberra, Australia
Duration: 9 Jul 200811 Jul 2008

Conference

ConferenceQuality & Standards in Higher Education: Making a Difference
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityCanberra
Period9/07/0811/07/08

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