What’s the Difference Between Quality Control and Quality Assurance?
Quality control (QC) is the process of verifying that a product or service is fulfilling quality requirements. This can involve inspections, tests, or other methods to ensure that the product or service meets the required specifications.
Quality assurance (QA), on the other hand, is a process oriented approach, ensuring that processes and systems are in place to consistently produce a product or service that meets quality standards. While quality assurance and quality control are often confused with one another, there are some key differences.
Quality Assurance vs Quality Control explained: 10 key differences
| Quality Assurance (QA) | Quality Control (QC) |
|---|---|
|
Quality Assurance (QA) is a proactive process. |
Quality Control (QC) is a reactive process. |
|
Quality assurance focuses on preventing defects. |
QC process focuses on identifying and correcting defects. |
|
It is concerned with the overall product manufacturing process. |
It is more specifically product oriented. |
|
It involves activities such as reviewing product quality requirements and creating test plans. |
It involves activities such as testing processes and inspecting the product or service. |
|
The development team is often responsible for quality assurance activities. |
QC is often the responsibility of a separate team or group. |
|
QA aims to ensure that the product or service meets specified requirements. |
QC verifies that these requirements have been met. |
|
It includes reviewing documents and plans. |
QC aims to evaluate the actual product or service. |
|
It is concerned with the processes and procedures used to create a product or service. |
It is concerned with the product or service itself. |
|
QA is generally focused on internal processes and systems. |
QC is generally focused on external factors such as customer requirements. |
|
It is typically a continuous and long term process that occurs throughout the development cycle. |
It is focused on identifying and correcting specific defects. |
What are quality assurance inspections?
Quality assurance (QA) inspections are a type of process used to ensure that processes and systems are in place to consistently produce a product or service that meets quality standards. These inspections involve examining the processes and systems used to produce a product or service, in order to identify any potential quality problems or areas for improvement. The goal of Quality Assurance inspections is to prevent quality issues from occurring in the first place, rather than identifying and correcting them after they occur. Quality Assurance inspections are typically a part of the larger QA process, which is focused on proactively improving the overall quality of finished products by identifying and addressing potential issues before they become problems.
What is a quality control audit?
A quality control audit is a systematic and independent examination of a company’s quality control system. The goal of a quality control audit is to determine whether the company’s quality management systems are effective and in compliance with internal and international quality control standards and regulations. The audit involves a review of the company’s quality control activities, policies, procedures, and processes, as well as an evaluation of the company’s performance in implementing these policies and procedures. The audit is typically conducted by an external auditor or a team of auditors who are trained and experienced in quality control audit techniques. The audit report provides the company with recommendations for improving its quality control system and helps the company identify areas where it may be non-compliant with quality control standards and regulations.
Why are quality control and quality assurance important?
Quality control and quality assurance are crucial because they help ensure that a product or service meets the desired level of quality and performance. Quality control systems identify defects in a final product to ensure it meets quality requirements and specifications. Quality assurance, on the other hand, involves verifying that a finished product consistently meets the desired level of quality through systematic and independent processes. These practices are essential for maintaining customer’s requirements and loyalty, as well as improving the efficiency and competitiveness of a business. In short, quality control and quality assurance helps ensure that final product quality meets customer requirements and expectations.
How Tetra Inspection can help you with quality management
Tetra Inspection can help you with quality assurance and quality assurance inspection services by providing experienced professionals who can conduct thorough inspections and audits of a product. Our inspectors are highly experienced and can identify any defects or problems with the products, and provide recommendations for how to fix them. We can also help you develop and implement QC and QA processes and procedures to help prevent defects and quality issues from occurring in the first place.
Contact us to learn more about our custom quality control audit and quality assurance services.
