Quality is not just about finishing a task — it is about delivering work that others can use without needing to follow up.

A small check before submission can prevent a bigger correction later.

Every task you complete connects to someone else’s work. When your output is accurate, clear, and complete, others can move forward without delays or corrections. When it is not, the impact extends — clarifications are needed, checks are repeated, and work already in progress may need to be corrected.

Quality standards awareness means understanding the expected standard, following the right process, and checking that your work is ready for others to use.

What Does Good Work Look Like?

Quality involves more than completing a task on time. The result must fulfil its purpose and meet the agreed requirements.

Good work combines five essential qualities:

Quality What It Means
Accuracy Correct facts, figures, names, dates, and calculations
Completeness All required information and deliverables are included
Consistency Relevant procedures, templates, and formats are followed
Clarity Information is organised and easy to understand
Timeliness Work is delivered on time, with delays communicated early

Before beginning any task, ask yourself: “What must this include, and what should the recipient be able to do with it?”

Understand the Requirements Before You Start

Clear requirements are the foundation of accurate work.

Before starting, review the task description, instructions, supporting documents, and the relevant SOP. Confirm the expected outcome, deadline, format, and review requirements.

If instructions are incomplete or unclear, ask for clarification before making assumptions. A short question at the start prevents unnecessary revisions later.

Example: Before updating a shared record, confirm which source to use, which fields need changing, and whether approval is required.

Use Approved Sources and Templates

Reliable work starts with reliable information.

Always check that you are using the latest approved document or template. When reusing previous work, review the details carefully — do not assume they are still correct.

Pay attention to:

  • Reporting periods, dates, and deadlines
  • Names, contact details, and reference numbers
  • Calculations and source data
  • Document versions and approval requirements
  • Links and supporting attachments

If two sources contain conflicting information, resolve the difference before submitting. When using AI-generated content or calculations, verify the output against reliable sources before use.

Build Quality Checks into Every Task

Do not save your review for the end. Build checks into the task as you work so errors are caught early.

Practical checks to include:

  • Verify a formula before copying it across a spreadsheet
  • Confirm facts and references while preparing content
  • Check that an update has been entered into the correct record
  • Test every link after adding it to a document
  • Compare a completed section against the original instructions

Keep your checks specific. “Confirm the figures match the source data” is a clear action. “Check everything” is not.

Check Before You Hand Over

Before submitting your work, ask whether the recipient can understand and use it without needing to follow up.

Your handover or message should clearly explain:

  • What has been completed
  • Where the output and supporting files are available
  • What is still pending
  • Whether any blockers or limitations affect the result
  • What action is needed next

Instead of writing: “Updated”

Write: “The document has been updated using the latest source data and is ready for review. One item is still awaiting confirmation — noted in the comments.”

Clear communication keeps work moving and reduces avoidable back-and-forth.

Keep Your Records Accurate

Accurate documentation is part of quality work.

Your Jira updates, Daily Activity Reports (DARs), and Hubstaff task selections should reflect the work actually performed. Keep task references, progress descriptions, and completion statuses consistent and up to date.

This includes:

  • Selecting the relevant task when tracking time
  • Including appropriate Jira links in work updates
  • Clearly distinguishing between work in progress, awaiting review, and completed
  • Explaining blockers, task issues, or discrepancies promptly

If a deliverable is finished but approval is still pending, make that distinction clear.

Use Feedback to Improve

Feedback is most valuable when it changes how you approach the next task.

When a mistake repeats, look for the cause. Was the instruction unclear? Was the template outdated? Was a check missing?

Then make a specific improvement.

Example: If attachments are frequently missed, add “Attach and open the correct file” to your email checklist. If reports regularly contain date errors, verify the reporting period before entering any data.

If you discover an error after submission, inform the relevant person promptly. Explain the impact and provide the correction or next step. Taking ownership means helping resolve mistakes and ensuring they do not happen again.

Your Pre-Submit Checklist

Before clicking submit, take one minute to check:

# Check Done
1 Have I understood and fulfilled the task requirements? ☐
2 Are all details accurate, complete, and up to date? ☐
3 Have I checked formatting, calculations, links, and attachments? ☐
4 Does my work follow the relevant SOP or approved template? ☐
5 Can the recipient access all supporting information? ☐
6 Do my work records accurately reflect the progress made? ☐
7 Have I clearly communicated any pending items or blockers? ☐

 

Each accurate report, clear update, and carefully reviewed deliverable makes it easier for others to do their work well. Start with one small check — and make it a habit.

Helpful Resources

Learn more about Performance Goal Check and how it can support long-term productivity.