The term quality assurance(QA) and quality control(QC) are frequently used interchangeably. Although the two concepts are similar, there is a significant difference between them. This page will define and provide examples of the difference between quality control and quality management. Let us discuss some more differences between Quality Assurance Vs Quality Control with the help of the comparison given below.
What is Quality Assurance(QA)?
The process of creating deliverables is known as quality assurance(QA), and it can be performed by managers, clients, or even a third-party reviewer. Process checklists, project audits, and methodology standard development are all examples of quality assurance.
What is Quality Control(QC)?
Quality control(QC) refers to quality activities associated with project deliverable creation. Quality control is used to ensure that deliverables are of acceptable quality, complete and correct. Quality control activities include inspection, deliverable peer reviews, and the testing process.
Quality Assurance Vs Quality Control
- Quality assurance is aimed to avoid defects, whereas quality control is aimed to identify and fix defects.
- Quality assurance provides assurance that the quality required will be achieved, whereas quality control is a procedure that focuses on fulfilling the quality requested.
- Quality assurance is done in the software development life cycle, whereas Quality control is done in the software testing life cycle.
- Quality assurance is a proactive measure, whereas quality control is a reactive measure.
- Quality assurance is performed before quality control.
- Quality assurance requires the involvement of all team members, whereas quality control needs only testing teams.
- Quality assurance involves in full software development life cycle. Quality control involves in full software testing life cycle.
- Quality assurance is a managerial tool. While Quality control is a corrective tool.
- Quality assurance is concerned with processes, whereas quality control is concerned with products.
- Verification is an example of quality assurance. While validation/software testing is an example of Quality control.
- In order to meet the customer requirement, QA defines standards and methodologies. While QC confirms that the standards are followed while working on the product.
- Quality assurance is performed before quality control. While Quality control is performed only after QA activity is done.
- Quality assurance is a low-level activity, it can identify an error and mistakes which QC cannot. While Quality control is high-level activity, It can identify an error that QA cannot.
- The statistical technique applied to QA is known as SPC or statistical process. While The statistical technique applied to QC is known as SQC or statistical quality control.