QA vs QC - Copy

Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)

Definition

• Quality Assurance (QA):

  • A set of activities to ensure quality in processes used to develop products.

  • A proactive approach aimed at preventing defects in product development.

• Quality Control (QC):

  • A set of activities focused on ensuring quality in the actual products produced.

  • A reactive approach that aims to identify and correct defects in the finished product.

Goals

• Goal of QA:

  • To improve development and test processes to prevent defects during product development.

• Goal of QC:

  • To identify defects after product development and before release.

How to Establish QA and QC

• Quality Management System:

  • Establish a good quality management system.

  • Assess the adequacy of the system through periodic conformance audits.

  • Identify and eliminate sources of quality problems using appropriate tools and equipment to meet customer requirements.

Activities and Techniques

• Prevention of Quality Problems:

  • Engage in planned and systematic activities, including documentation, to prevent quality issues.

  • Implement activities or techniques to maintain product quality, processes, and services.

Responsibility

• QA Responsibility:

  • Everyone on the team involved in product development is responsible for quality assurance.

• QC Responsibility:

  • Generally the responsibility of a specific team tasked with testing the product for defects.

Examples

• QA Example:

  • Verification processes in development.

• QC Examples:

  • Assay, Validation, and Testing of products.

Statistical Techniques

• Statistical Process Control (SPC):

  • When statistical tools are applied to processes (inputs & operational parameters), it is part of QA.

• Statistical Quality Control (SQC):

  • When statistical tools are applied to finished products (outputs), it is associated with QC.

Orientation

• QA Orientation:

  • Process-oriented focus.

• QC Orientation:

  • Product-oriented focus.