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What Is The Difference Between QA and QC
What Is The Difference Between QA and QC
What Is The Difference Between QA and QC
Quality assurance and quality control personnel and their responsibilities overlap, which
lends itself to confusion that could affect the total quality system. This is why it is
important for decision makers, managers, and those in the field to understand the
differences between the two and more importantly, how they work together.
Defining Quality
According to ISO 9000, “Quality is the degree to which a set of inherent, existing
characteristics of an object fulfils requirements.” Simply stated, the final product meet
the customer’s specified requirements. ISO 9000 notes “Quality Management” can
include establishing quality policies and quality objectives and processes to achieve
these quality objectives through quality planning, quality assurance, quality control, and
quality improvement.
Boil this down and we end up with the understanding that a Quality Management
System (QMS) is a set of interrelated or interacting elements that establish policies,
objectives, and processes to achieve those objectives. Objectives are stated in the
project specification by establishing acceptance criteria. The testing process by which
we determine if the product is acceptable may be referenced in the standard, or may be
called out in the specification if there is more than one test procedure.
So who is responsible for determining whether the work is acceptable? The answer is
both QC and QA personnel. According to Merriam-Webster, control is defined as “to
check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments” and assurance is defined as
“confidence of mind or manner.”
This is the difference
1. QC personnel perform the testing and compare the results to the specification
requirements. They are contractually (contained in, arising from, or in the form of a
formal or legally binding agreement) responsible for controlling the quality of the
work performed. But unless they have authority, as well as first-hand knowledge of
the specification requirements and testing procedures, they cannot control quality.
2. QA personnel check the test procedures used by quality control personnel and
verify the accuracy of the data in order to provide confidence in the results. They are
ultimately responsible for assuring the quality of the work performed. But unless they
have first-hand knowledge of the specification requirements and testing procedures
they cannot assure quality. They may or may not have authority depending on
whether they are the owner or a third party.
In conclusion, it is better understood that the QC role is to conduct tests and verify by
evidence that the product meets the specified requirements.
The QA role is to verify the QC tests are conducted in accordance with the appropriate
standard. This procedure-based approach is critical to ensure the tests results are
reliable and meaningful. We cannot expect reliable or consistent results without proper
controls and consistent testing. This is achieved by performing the tests using accepted
methods and procedures.
The Role of Quality Control in Production Management
Quality control is a process through which a business seeks to ensure that product
quality is maintained or improved and manufacturing errors are reduced or eliminated. It
requires the business to create an environment in which both management and
employees strive for perfection.
A major aspect of quality control is the establishment of well-defined controls. These
controls help standardize both production and reactions to quality issues. Limiting room
for error by specifying which production activities are to be completed by which
personnel reduces the chance that employees will be involved in tasks for which they do
not have adequate training
1. The process adopted to deliver a quality product to the clients at the best cost.
2. A goal is to learn from other organizations so that quality would be better each
time.
3. To avoid making errors by proper planning and execution with the correct review
process.
Quality Control is used in all phases of business but is extremely relevant in engineering
and manufacturing in developing systems to ensure products or services. Quality
control is used to meet customer requirements and is vital in the manufacturing part of
businesses.
9. Complaint handling.
1. How are we constantly providing products and services which meet customer
and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements?
2. How are we enhancing customer satisfaction?
These are the processes which need to be controlled. Your organisation must then map
out the inter-relationships between your core processes.
2) Assign responsibilities and authorities for processes
Your organisation then needs to work out who is responsible for what process. Rather
than focusing on functions, focus on the process across the department. Pay particular
attention to the inter-dependencies and the interactions. It can also help to: