Quality Assurance(QA) vs Quality Control(QC) | Difference between Quality Assurance(QA) and Quality Control(QC)

This page compares Quality Assurance (QA) vs Quality Control (QC) and mentions difference between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC). The definitions of both Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are also mentioned.

Introduction:
As per ISO standards, every organization should have QMS (Quality Management System) in place to ensure various quality processes are used and followed as per guidelines. QMS includes Quality planning, Quality improvement activities, Quality policies, Quality objectives, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) procedures.


QA vs QC,difference between QA and QC

There are about 7 quality management principles viz. customer focus, leadership, people engagement, approach towards processes, improvements, decision making and relationship management etc.

➤ISO 9001 is recognized as QMS (Quality Management System) world wide. It belongs to ISO 9000 family of standards. It helps organizations to meet expectations and needs of the customers including other benefits.
➤QMS is set of policies, processes and procedures. These are required for planning and execution in core business areas of the organization.

Quality Assurance (QA)

• Definition: It is a set of activities for ensuring quality "in the processes" by which products are developed.
• The goal of QA process is to develop a process so that defects do not arise when we are producing the product.
• Example#1: Quality Audit
• Example#2: Verification

Quality Control (QC)

• Definition: It is set of activities for ensuring quality "in the products". The activities focus on identifying defects in the actual products produced.
• QC identifies the defects after the product is produced but it is not yet released or it is still in the production phase.
• Example#1: Inspection and Testing are QC process.
• Example#2: Validation/Software Testing

Table of difference between Quality Assurance(QA) and Quality Control(QC)

Following table summarizes major difference between Quality Assurance(QA) and Quality Control(QC).

Features Quality Assurance(QA) Quality Control(QC)
What is it? Prevention of quality problems through planned and systematic activities including documentation. The activies or techniques used to achieve and maintain the product quality, process and service.
As a tool. It is a managerial tool. It is a corrective tool.
Orientation QA is process oriented. QC is product oriented.
Who is responsible? Everyone on the team involved in developing the product is responsible for Quality Assurance. QC is the responsibility of specific team which tests the product for defects.
Activities/Processes Prevent Bug, Plan and Verify are QA activities Detect Bug, Act and Validate are QC activities
Example Prevent defects due to quality audits Finds defects during testing


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