Understanding the Roles of Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Introduction

The primary goal of every company, regardless of industry, is to create products that foster customer retention, build trust, and drive consistent revenue growth. One way to achieve this is through quality management which covers a range of customer success activities including quality assurance and quality control. These two terms are often confused with each other. In fact, some have normalized using them interchangeably.

The confusion is understandable since they are interrelated aspects of quality management that ensure products meet the industry standard. But that doesn’t mean we have to ignore their obvious differences.

While their intentions are similar, their approaches differ. Understanding these differences will help a company follow due process to produce and maintain high-quality products or services.

At the end of this article, you will understand the differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control, and their relationship, with clear examples to illustrate what they mean.

What is Quality Assurance?

Quality assurance is an aspect of quality management. It ensures procedures are taken to keep quality high and uniform during production. The process covers all aspects of product development, from raw material and human resources to process validation.

Quality assurance requires planning, testing, and monitoring to achieve its goal. The test has to be carried out and passed before production starts. Then, the production process is monitored to ensure the standards are followed strictly.

If the standardized method is deviated during the test, the quality assurance inspectors ensure necessary adjustments are made to prevent defects.

Quality assurance saves fleet management companies from costly recalls. A software company for example wouldn’t want a major bug discovered after the product has been launched. That would ruin the reputation of the company. Quality assurance can help prevent this from happening. It is very important, and that’s why it is handled at the managerial level.

Quality Assurance Process

• Step 1: The quality assurance inspection team defines and documents the standard procedures to be followed in the production process. This offers clarity to the workers and reduces the risks of defects.
• Step 2: The inspection team then trains the employees on the processes, guidelines, and quality standards. It ensures everyone is on the same page and is fully aware of their responsibilities.
• Step 3: The inspection agents assess and evaluate the production process at intervals. This is done to ensure they remain in line with the predefined standards. They also collect and compare data to identify where adjustment is needed.
• Step 4: If they discover a deviation from the predefined standard, they start analyzing the possible cause. Once they are confident of the cause, they put corrective measures in place.

What is Quality Control?

Quality control is the aspect of quality management that ensures that final products meet the industry’s criteria. This involves inspecting, testing, and evaluating the product during or after production. This is done to detect any deviation from the standards.
The most crucial point about quality control is that it detects errors already made. This is different from quality assurance, which is a pre-production process.

During quality control, all the factors involved in the production are reviewed. The deviations are recorded and reported to the management, which decides the next step of action.

There may be slight changes in the process across different industries depending on the specific requirements and customer expectations. Quality control in manufacturing isn’t exactly the same as in the software industry. But at the end of the day, The purpose of quality control is to provide confidence that a product is safe and effective.

Quality Control Process

• Step 1: Careful examination of the finished products for visible defects. This ensures that the product reaches the consumers with high integrity.
• Step 2: The product undergoes functionality, performance, and stress tests. These tests detect any deviation from industry standards that is not visible to the ordinary eye.
• Step 3: A statistical process control is then conducted to analyze the data collected during production. This statistical method is used to detect, at an early stage, issues that can arise with the finished product.
• Step 4: Data such as defect rates and measurements are collected on the batch produced to evaluate its integrity.
• Step 5: After the defects have been identified, the products may then be repaired or system adjusted depending on the fault.

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control – Key differences

Below are some of the key differences between Quality assurance and Quality control.

In addition, quality assurance and quality control are referred to as part of quality management focused on providing a guarantee and fulfilling the quality requirements.

Wrapping Up: A practical example of Quality Assurance vs Quality Control

Now that you know the differences between quality assurance and quality control, let’s apply this to a real-world example.

Let’s say a wall socket-producing company needs to produce a new line of wall sockets based on a new design. During the design and development stage, the manufacturer designs controls and processes required for consistent quality.

Some of these efforts, including calibration of equipment and giving verbal and written instructions to the workers is under quality assurance.

As the wall sockets come off the production line, inspectors periodically collect samples for testing. They check if the measurements are accurate, the screws are properly tightened, and the sockets function as expected.

If a defect is found, such as a missing hole in the socket, inspectors immediately notify the technicians to troubleshoot and adjust the machine settings. This prompt correction is an example of quality control in action.

In conclusion, quality assurance is a preventive measure, while quality control is a corrective measure.