In industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and IT, ensuring high-quality products and services is essential. This is where Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) come into play. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct roles in quality management.
Quality Assurance is a proactive process that focuses on preventing defects in products or services. It involves establishing policies, procedures, and standards to ensure that the final product meets required quality specifications. Quality Control is a reactive process that involves inspecting and testing products or services to identify defects. It ensures that outputs meet the required quality standards before reaching the customer.
While QA and QC serve different purposes, they work together to ensure high standards in products and services. A strong quality management system incorporates both to create a culture of continuous improvement.