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Let's talk about Quality: Difference between QA and QC

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Difference between QA and QC

As we've talked in a previous post about the Definition of Quality, with these 2 terms exist
the same issue where every single person/organization defines Quality Assurance (QA)
and Quality Control (QC) in a bit different way. Also, many people including HHRR
(Human Resources) and quality professionals do not know what QA and QC really means,
and what the difference is between both terms. For those reasons, these concepts are
often used interchangeably, and in some organizations one department performs the
activities of both.

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Next table shows the differences between them.

QA
Definition from ASQ.org
Assurance: The act of giving confidence,
the state of being certain or the act of
making certain.

vs.

QC

Definition from ASQ.org

Control: An evaluation to indicate needed
corrective responses; the act of guiding a
process in which variability is attributable
to a constant system of chance causes.

QA: The planned and systematic activities

implemented in a quality system so that
quality requirements for a product or
service will be fulfilled.

QC: The observation techniques and

activities used to fulfill requirements for
quality.

Other definition

Other definition

Influential Voices - 2012 (12)

QA is a failure prevention system that

QC is a failure detection system that

Influential Voices - 2013 (10)

predicts almost everything about product

safety, quality standards and legality that
could possibly go wrong, and then takes
steps to control and prevent flawed
products or services from reaching the
advanced stages of the supply chain.

uses a testing technique to identify errors

or flaws in products and tests the end
products at specified intervals, to ensure
that the products or services meet the
requirements as defined during the earlier
process for QA.

QA department develops all the planning

processes and procedures in order to try
to make sure that the products
manufactured or the service delivered by
the organization will be of good quality.

As some process parameters cannot be

controlled, QC department checks the
products or services for defects that
happen due to these parameters, trying to
achieve the overall QC objective of
providing a defect-free product or service
to the customers.

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The truth is that both terms have strong interdependence; QA relies mostly on the QC
feedback and both work to deliver good quality products/services; but they are different
processes.

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QA defines the standards/methodology to

be followed in order to meet the customer
requirements. *

QC ensures that the defined standards

are followed at every step.*

Difference between
QA and QC
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manufacturing
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* This is done by conducting various tests and checks. Based on them, the QC
prepares regular reports that act as an input to the QA department which then reviews
the same and decides on the corrective and preventive actions required in the
processes.

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In general, the QA activities are done

before the product is manufactured or the
service delivered (proactive approach).

The QC activities are done during the

manufacturing process and once the
product is manufactured.

QA is process oriented.

QC is product oriented.

QA makes sure you are doing the right

things, the right way.

QC makes sure the results of what you've

done are what you expected.

QA tasks are conducted by managers,

third party auditors, and customers. *

QC tasks are executed by experts who

are directly involved with the design, or
manufacture of a product on the shop floor
such as engineers, inspectors, etc. *

* For this reason, one person cannot perform both activities (QA and QC) because will
result in a conflict of interest.

Examples
- A QA audit would focus on the process
elements of a project. e.g.: Are
requirements being defined at the proper
level of detail?
- Process documentation
- Establishing standards
- Developing checklists
- Conducting internal audits

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Examples
- A QC review will focus on product
elements. e.g.: Are the defined
requirements the right requirements?
- Performing inspections
- Preforming testing

Example
- QC detected a recurrent problem with the quality of the products. QC provides
feedback to QA personnel that there is a problem in the process or system that is
causing product quality problems. QA determines the root cause of the problem and
then brings changes to the process to ensure that there are no quality issues in future.

NOTE 1: Quality Assurance AKA Quality Guarantee

NOTE 2: QA/QC are not limited to the manufacturing field, they can be applied to any
business or non-business activity such us services, software, banking, transportation,
office, education, etc.
CONCLUSION
Both departments are essential to maintain good quality of the deliverables.
And keep in mind no matter how you define QA and QC, the goal is: to delivery
good quality.
READER'S QUESTIONS
1. QA and QC activities performed by the same person. Read question
2. QA and QC personnel report to the same manager. Read question
NOTE
If you are a member of the ASQ group in LinkedIn, you can read more about this topic by
clicking here.

So, how do you define QA and QC?

Posted by Jimena Calfa at 10/13/2011
+20 Recommend this on Google

19 comments

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Add a comment as Juan M Jaurez

Top comments

Goutam Bala 1 month ago - Shared publicly

QA means Quality assurance and QC means Quality control..........
1 Reply

Niraj Sinha 3 months ago - Shared publicly

I want this type of answer....you absolutely clear my concept...thank you
1 Reply

Arun Kumar K 2 months ago - Shared publicly

It's a great post for easy understand about QA & QC
+1
2
1

1 Reply

Cathy Keener 6 months ago - Shared publicly

QA is Quality In and QC is Quality Out!
1 Reply

joed kevin 6 months ago - Shared publicly

Im reading this cos im a site QC engineer. Its correct cos thats what i mostly
do; inspect defects and audit, etc.
+1
2
1

1 Reply

Kimberly Blackburn 6 months ago - Shared publicly

Wow, what a wonderful article! Never before have I seen a side-by-side
comparison of these terms. Great post!
+1
2
1

1 Reply

Jimena Calfa 5 months ago

Thanks Kimberly.. Keep in contact!

Hussain Al-Ahmad 5 months ago - Shared publicly

really great post
+1
2
1

1 Reply

Monika Batra 3 months ago - Shared publicly

'THHHHE BEST' post so far. You have nailed it with facts and precise details.
Great work!
1 Reply

Mohd. Anwer Sajid Ali 3 months ago - Shared publicly

thanks i never try to understand before that what i am doing QC or QA
now i am clear
1 Reply

Jimena Calfa via Google+ 5 months ago - Shared publicly

1 Reply

Anonymous 1 year ago

Thank you very much for this wonderful comparison. After reading a dozen of
comparisons on the net , I landed up here and simply it has the best. keep it up.

onquality.blogspot.mx/2011/10/difference-between-qa-and-qc.html

3/5

1/15/14

Let's talk about Quality: Difference between QA and QC

comparisons on the net , I landed up here and simply it has the best. keep it up.

Vivienne Alexander 1 year ago

Thank you so much for this article, Jimena. It can be difficult to keep everything
straight and this cleared it up wonderfully. Great post!

Jimena Calfa 1 year ago

Thanks Vivienne! Glad it helps. Keep in contact!

Anonymous 1 year ago

Very nice post

Jimena Calfa 2 years ago

Thanks everyone for the messages; I really appreciate you stop by and let me
know your thoughts. Gracias!

Ofinext 2 years ago

Excelente. Te seguiremos Jimena. El equipo de ofinext.

C. R. Matthews 2 years ago

This is an excellent table that I would encourage those who need to train
others in Quality Assurance (and QC) to use. Thank you for sharing it!

Mohammad Zaid 2 years ago

I really appreciate the word done by you. Excellent post.

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