QUALITY ASSURANCE VS QUALITY CONTROL

Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are two fundamental aspects of quality management in any organization. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are distinct concepts that play different roles in ensuring that products or services meet the required standards.

QA refers to the set of activities undertaken to prevent defects in products or services from occurring in the first place. This proactive approach involves designing and implementing processes and procedures to ensure that products or services meet the desired quality standards. QA activities are typically performed throughout the entire product development lifecycle, from design to production, and involve everyone in the organization.

QC, on the other hand, involves the detection and correction of defects that have already occurred. This reactive approach involves testing and inspecting products or services to identify any non-conformance to standards. QC activities are performed during the production process, after the products or services have been created, and are the responsibility of specific individuals or teams within the organization.