The words quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are sometimes used interchangeably. Although the two notions are similar, there are significant variances between them. This article will define and provide instances of the differences between quality control and quality management.
QA AND QC DIFFERENCES:
Quality control and assurance are two aspects of quality management. While certain quality assurance and quality control operations overlap, the terms are not interchangeable. QA activities and responsibilities typically involve practically all aspects of the quality system in some way, whereas QC is a subset of QA activities. Furthermore, parts of the quality system that are not officially covered by QA/QC activities and responsibilities but may involve QA and QC. ISO 9000 definitions from ISO 9000:2015: Quality management systems – Fundamentals and Vocabulary are shown in Figure 1.
Quality Assurance:
The term “component of quality management focusing on giving confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled” is quality assurance. Quality assurance boosts management’s confidence both internally and externally, among consumers, authorities, regulators, certifiers, and other parties. “All the planned and systematic activities implemented inside the quality system that can be proved to provide confidence that a product or service will fulfill requirements for quality” is an alternative definition.
Quality Control:
As “a component of quality management focused on meeting quality criteria,” quality control can be defined. While quality control is mainly the inspection component of quality management, quality assurance is more concerned with how a process is carried out or how a product is manufactured. “The operational approaches and actions utilised to fulfill standards for quality” is a different definition.
VIEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY ON QA AND QC:
Because there is no actual product to examine and monitor, the idea of quality control may be alien to certain service firms. A service organization’s quality assurance function might not include quality control of the service itself, but it might include quality control of any items used in the provision of the service.
Products that are paperwork (such as a report, contract, or design) or tangible goods can both be considered services (such as a rental car or units of blood). To make sure the service satisfies client needs, product quality control may be important in a service business.
QC, QA, and Inspection:
Inspection is the process of measuring, evaluating, and testing a product or service to evaluate one or more features and comparing these to predetermined requirements to ascertain conformity. To ensure that the final product or service being delivered is accurate and up to standards, inspections can be performed on products, processes, and a variety of other results.
Functions of Quality Assurance and Audit:
The duty of quality assurance includes auditing. Because it is used to evaluate actual circumstances to requirements and to report those results to management, ensuring quality is vital.
The Quality Audit states:
Charles Mill noted that auditing and inspection are not equivalent in A Management Evaluation Tool (McGraw-Hill, 1988): “The auditor may use inspection techniques as an evaluation tool, but the audit should not be involved in carrying out any verification activities leading to the actual acceptance or rejection of a product or service. The review of the procedures and safeguards governing the production and verification activities ought to comprise an audit.
Organizations are now governed and directed by formal management systems. Environmental management systems (EMSs), quality management systems (QMSs), and other management systems are all subject to audit.
QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE:
The words quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are sometimes used interchangeably. Although the two notions are similar, there are significant variances between them. This article will define and provide instances of the differences between quality control and quality management.
QA AND QC DIFFERENCES:
Quality control and assurance are two aspects of quality management. While certain quality assurance and quality control operations overlap, the terms are not interchangeable. QA activities and responsibilities typically involve practically all aspects of the quality system in some way, whereas QC is a subset of QA activities. Furthermore, parts of the quality system that are not officially covered by QA/QC activities and responsibilities but may involve QA and QC. ISO 9000 definitions from ISO 9000:2015: Quality management systems – Fundamentals and Vocabulary are shown in Figure 1.
Quality Assurance:
The term “component of quality management focusing on giving confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled” is quality assurance. Quality assurance boosts management’s confidence both internally and externally, among consumers, authorities, regulators, certifiers, and other parties. “All the planned and systematic activities implemented inside the quality system that can be proved to provide confidence that a product or service will fulfill requirements for quality” is an alternative definition.
Quality Control:
As “a component of quality management focused on meeting quality criteria,” quality control can be defined. While quality control is mainly the inspection component of quality management, quality assurance is more concerned with how a process is carried out or how a product is manufactured. “The operational approaches and actions utilised to fulfill standards for quality” is a different definition.
VIEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY ON QA AND QC:
Because there is no actual product to examine and monitor, the idea of quality control may be alien to certain service firms. A service organization’s quality assurance function might not include quality control of the service itself, but it might include quality control of any items used in the provision of the service.
Products that are paperwork (such as a report, contract, or design) or tangible goods can both be considered services (such as a rental car or units of blood). To make sure the service satisfies client needs, product quality control may be important in a service business.
QC, QA, and Inspection:
Inspection is the process of measuring, evaluating, and testing a product or service to evaluate one or more features and comparing these to predetermined requirements to ascertain conformity. To ensure that the final product or service being delivered is accurate and up to standards, inspections can be performed on products, processes, and a variety of other results.
Functions of Quality Assurance and Audit:
The duty of quality assurance includes auditing. Because it is used to evaluate actual circumstances to requirements and to report those results to management, ensuring quality is vital.
The Quality Audit states:
Charles Mill noted that auditing and inspection are not equivalent in A Management Evaluation Tool (McGraw-Hill, 1988): “The auditor may use inspection techniques as an evaluation tool, but the audit should not be involved in carrying out any verification activities leading to the actual acceptance or rejection of a product or service. The review of the procedures and safeguards governing the production and verification activities ought to comprise an audit.
Organizations are now governed and directed by formal management systems. Environmental management systems (EMSs), quality management systems (QMSs), and other management systems are all subject to audit.
Recent Posts
Popular Categories