Differences Between Quality Assurance and Quality Control

It is crucial for the success of the project to understand the difference between Quality Assurance and Quality Control. QA is a set of actions taken to design and manufacture a safe and effective product by building quality controls into the product life cycle. QC is a set of actions that test the procedures used to verify that a product is safe and effective after manufacturing. 

Here are 5 major differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control to help you understand the concepts better. 

1. Proactive vs Reactive

Quality Assurance is proactive. It works towards preventing defects before they occur through process design while Quality Control is reactive and it identifies defects after their occurrence. 

QA focuses on steps to design processes, such as documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs). It makes sure procedures and processes are followed to deliver a safe, effective product of desired quality. 

QC focuses on testing the products once they are manufactured to ensure all the safety measures are met. It also ensures they meet the desired standards of quality and efficacy. 

2. Process-oriented vs Product-oriented 

Quality Assurance is process-oriented. It solely focuses on preventing quality issues. The processes are designed to avoid any defects in the deliverables. 

Quality Control is product-oriented. It identifies the quality issues in the products that are already manufactured. QA involves the processes that create the product, while QC is focused on the product output. 

Quality Assurance Processes

• Documentations

• Audits

• Process management

• Personnel training

• Change control management

Quality Control Procedures

• Batch monitoring

• Inspection

• Product sampling

• Validation

• Testing

3. Controls the Entire System or Controls Each Process

Quality Assurance controls the entire system of product development including various processes and procedures designed to ensure quality standards. Quality Control measures parts of the system including the outputs. 

The QA system dictates various processes to ensure inputs are consistently safe and effective, such as auditing suppliers and raw materials. QC efforts are more inclined towards testing parts of the product once they are ready. 

4. Used Mainly During Creation Process or Testing Process

QA activities act like a roadmap for creating high quality products and services. They include defining quality standards for product design, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, marketing and sales. These standards act like guidelines during the entire process of product development and ensure the output meets the desired standard of quality. 

QC activities are the verification or testing criteria for manufactured products. They include verification of various parts of the product post-production and before distribution. QC confirms the safety of the products. 

5. Team Effort vs Individual Responsibility 

Quality Assurance activities involve the entire quality management team. Each team member is responsible for the standard operating procedures and contributes towards designing the quality measures. 

Quality Control is the responsibility of a particular personnel within the quality management team whose duties include following the standard operating procedures for product testing. QC staff documents the results of product testing based on the standardized procedures for product validation.

Also Read: Top Reasons Why Companies Outsource Quality Assurance Services