Do you provide quality vs quantity at work? Projects in today’s workplace are riddled with partially met milestones, unfinished tasks, and a general lack of follow-through related to everyday work. Why? Why do we believe a positive correlation exists between the quality and quantity of work performed? Is it because we tell ourselves that staying busy must mean that we are doing quality work? Well, that is complete nonsense. Let’s look at the differences between quality and quantity of work.
Now, more than in previous working generations, it has become imperative that we begin holding the quality of our work in high regard.
Do You Have A Quality over Quantity Mindset?
What is quality vs quantity at work? The majority of the time, as employees, we tend to compare our work to that of our peers, and since the workplace is a “what have you done for me lately” environment, those who seem to be completing projects and work at a rapid pace are glorified while those who do not are often ostracized. However, focusing on this high quantity, the low-quality formula has significant drawbacks in the big picture. Yes, in the short term, the praise for work completed feels fantastic, and you feel on top of the world. Unfortunately, it will only be a matter of time before the foundation begins to crumble, and what was previously seen as an accomplishment now looks like a gigantic mess. When we proactively fail to establish a quality vs quantity mindset around our work, the results are typically felt in several ways.
Let’s call them the 3 Rs:
Rework
By business definition, Rework is the correcting of a failed, defective, or non-conforming item. It is a non-value-added activity that results in a net loss for the organization and is attributable to a lack of quality surrounding the work. Take a moment to think about how many projects you have worked on that required rework. Now, think about how much time could have been saved if that rework were unnecessary. Focusing on quality vs quantity can go a long way in preventing this.
Reputation
A failure to produce quality work has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual responsible for that work. While the individual who fails to deliver quality work will undoubtedly experience a strike against their business reputation, the organization will feel the brunt of the failure. In business and life, our reputation precedes us. How would you feel if you and your organization were known for completing large amounts of work, yet it was of such poor quality that most of your customers were one-and-done?
Respect
Let’s face it: we all want to give and receive respect as it relates to our peers and also feel respected by the organizations that we work for. Failing to take a quality-first approach to our work only serves as a tool to diminish the amount of respect we feel throughout the workplace. From a work perspective, would you have the same respect for a co-worker with high output but inferior quality as a co-worker who always produces stellar work, even if the work completed was relatively low?
The idea of quality over quantity is not a new concept. It’s not some earth-shattering revelation ready to become the latest fad in the workplace. It’s old, and it’s simple, but it’s highly effective. It also requires minimal effort. All it takes is transforming the way you think about your work from a “how much can I get completed” to “how can I do this better.” Start on a small scale by thinking about the tasks you must complete today and how you can improve their result. It may require you to initially reduce the overall amount of work completed to focus on the quality aspect of your work.
Soon, you can begin implementing this concept on a grander scale and with extended time frames. Over time, the thought of not completing as much work as before will subside as the satisfaction of doing quality work begins to take over. Eventually, your old way of thinking will give way to a new and improved quality-first mindset where the amount of work completed is not nearly as significant as the quality of the final product.
FAQ’s
What does it mean to establish a quality over quantity of work mindset?
Establishing a quality over quantity mindset means prioritizing the quality of your work over the quantity of work you produce. It involves focusing on delivering high-quality work that meets or exceeds the expected standards rather than producing a large volume of work that may be of lower quality.
Why is it important to establish a quality over quantity mindset in our work?
Establishing a quality over quantity mindset can lead to better outcomes and greater satisfaction in your work. It can help you produce more valuable work for your clients, colleagues, or supervisors and reduce the likelihood of errors or mistakes. It can also help you prioritize your time and focus on tasks that matter rather than getting bogged down in busy work.
What are some benefits of establishing a quality over quantity mindset in our work?
Establishing a quality over quantity mindset in your work may have some benefits, including increased job satisfaction, higher-quality work products, reduced stress and burnout, improved relationships with colleagues or clients, and a greater sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
How can I measure the success of my efforts to establish a quality over quantity mindset in my work?
Measuring the success of your efforts to establish a quality over quantity mindset may involve tracking metrics such as the quality of your work products, feedback from colleagues or clients, or your levels of satisfaction and fulfillment. It may also include setting goals for yourself and assessing your progress over time.
Tip:
Remember also to leverage the power of project management software like Wrike, Monday.com, Teamwork, Microsoft Project, Asana, and Trello to provide a centralized platform for managing tasks, timelines, and resources. They enable project managers to create schedules, assign tasks, track progress, and collaborate with team members.
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