Quality is easier to assess when the expected result is explicit. “Make it good” leaves room for incompatible interpretations. A useful quality standard identifies observable characteristics and acceptable boundaries. For a printed handout, criteria might include complete text, readable size, correct page order, and no missing images. Separate essential requirements from preferences. Decide who checks the result and how a failed check is recorded and corrected. Inspecting only at the end can allow the same problem to affect many items. Add a check at a point where an error can still be corrected efficiently. Do not use a measure simply because it is easy to count if it does not reflect the customer’s need. Practice: Choose a product or service output and define three observable quality criteria. Explain how each would be checked and what would happen if it failed.