Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are two crucial aspects of software development that are often confused. While both QA and QC aim to deliver high-quality products, they have distinct roles and responsibilities. QA focuses on preventing defects by establishing processes and standards, while QC focuses on identifying and fixing defects through inspection and testing.
So how do you differentiate the two? How do they affect your software development project? This January’s V-Techhub, Vinova is going back to the basics, and spilling the secret sauce on the effect of Quality Assurance vs Quality Control in your software development process.
Table of Contents
1. QC – Quality Control
1.1 What is QC?
QC stands for Quality Control, which refers to quality control processes. This role directly ensures product quality at each stage of the production process.
QC focuses on implementing quality management requirements and is responsible for overseeing the production process by strictly managing factors such as machinery, input materials, production methods, personnel, and the production environment.
To take on the role of QC, you need an in-depth understanding of the product, including its technical specifications and the processes to produce it.
1.2 Specific Job Description of a QC Specialist
Besides controlling product quality, quality control specialists ensure order and productivity within the organization. Specific tasks include:
- Reading designs and specifications to understand production requirements and ensuring products meet quality standards.
- Monitoring activities during the production process.
- Proposing adjustments to the production process to improve efficiency.
- Inspecting and testing manufactured products to ensure quality.
- Operating automated testing equipment and software.
- Accepting or rejecting finished products based on predefined quality standards.
2. QA – Quality Assurance
2.1 What is QA?
QA stands for Quality Assurance, ensuring quality management. QA professionals primarily establish standards and procedures for quality management.
QA links internal quality management needs with external entities, including customers, government agencies, regulators and third-party partners. QA ensures quality requirements are met.
Within quality management systems, QA focuses on planning, documenting, and creating a standardized system that everyone can understand and follow. This helps eliminate factors that negatively impact product quality early, saving significant costs and time for businesses.
2.2 Specific Job Description of a QA Specialist
- Establishing and developing product quality management systems for the business, such as ISO 9001 or ASME systems, including quality system processes, quality manuals, specific work guides, and quality management forms.
- Periodically evaluating the quality management system to ensure it meets quality standards and proposing improvements if necessary.
- Participating in production improvements and updating new quality standards to meet market demands.
- Upgrading inspection systems to ensure product quality control meets standards.
- Collaborating with the QC (Quality Control) team to oversee product or service quality inspections.
- Working with the development team to deliver products to customers.
- Proposing solutions to improve the company’s quality management mechanisms.
3. Similarities and Differences Between QA and QC
3.1 Similarities Between QA and QC
Although QA and QC are different professions, they are closely related. Both belong to the quality management system and aim to produce the best-quality products to satisfy customers.Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) both aim to deliver high-quality products that meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Both are essential parts of a quality management system and depend on each other, with QA activities often informing and guiding QC processes.
- Both QA and QC involve setting standards and specifications that the product or process must meet.
- Both require thorough documentation and record-keeping for traceability and future improvement.
3.2 Differences Between QA and QC
QA and QC are often confused. QC focuses on inspecting the final product/service, while QA focuses on examining processes and implementing changes to achieve the desired final product.
| Comparison | QA (Quality Assurance) | QC (Quality Control) |
| Definition | Ensures product quality | Controls product quality |
| Nature | Focuses on developing production and service delivery processes | Focuses on inspecting and evaluating the quality of products/services |
| Timing | Conducted before the product/service is created | Conducted after the product/service is created |
| Objective | Ensures products/services meet pre-established quality standards | Identifies errors or deficiencies and makes improvements to meet market demands |
| Tasks | Is a quality management technique | Is a method to verify quality |
| Not related to program execution | Always related to program execution | |
| All team members are responsible for quality assurance | The testing team is responsible for QC | |
| Verification | Validation | |
| Ensures you are doing the right thing | Ensures the result of what you’ve done matches expectations | |
| Defines standards and methods to meet customer requirements | Ensures standards and methods are followed during software development | |
| Is the process of creating software | Is the process of verifying software | |
| Responsible for the entire software development process | Responsible for the software testing cycle |
Conclusion
QA and QC are interrelated but distinct professions. QA oversees the entire quality system, involving multiple departments, while QC focuses on inspecting the quality of finished products or specific stages.
Quality assurance ensures developed products are fit for use, requiring adherence to processes, standards, and periodic improvements. Both QA and QC demand significant investments in people and processes. Although time-consuming, the absence of QA and QC can lead to severe disadvantages, such as product defects, unsatisfactory market reception, and user rejection.
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