Quality Control and Assurance
Quality Control and Assurance
Quality Control
- Quality Control is a system of procedures intended to ensure a product or service under development meets specified requirements. It involves inspecting products to identify any defects.
- Understand the role of a Quality Control Check. These checks are made during production to prevent defective products from reaching the customers.
- Be aware of Quality Control Tests. Sometimes, after finishing a product, there are tests to perform to ensure it doesn’t have defects or faults.
- Learn about Sampling. It involves examining a random selection of the products or performing tests on a small quantity of the output to look for defects.
- Acknowledge the Role of Personnel in Quality Control. Every member on the production line is responsible for their own quality control, ensuring elements of the product are correctly made and assembled.
Quality Assurance
- Quality Assurance is a system of procedures and monitoring put in place to manage and maintain the desired level of quality throughout the production process.
- It is a proactive process that aims to prevent mistakes and defects before they happen by focusing on the processes used to make the product.
- Consistency is key in Quality Assurance. All activities and materials must be consistent to produce a consistent product.
- Understand that Quality Assurance is not just about fixing defects but also about improving processes and reducing variability. It involves making continuous changes in production methods to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Quality assurance involves creating a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP), that outlines the systematic activities and tasks which ensure that the product meets the specific requirements.
- Finally, know that Quality Assurance is not a one-time process but a continuous activity in the production process. It includes regular reviews and audits to ensure that all procedures are being correctly followed.
Key differences between Quality Control and Quality Assurance
- Recognise that while Quality Control is reactive and focused on defect identification, Quality Assurance is proactive and focuses on defect prevention.
- Quality Control is a part of Quality Assurance. It involves the operational techniques and procedures used to achieve and maintain the product quality.
- Whereas Quality Assurance is a company-wide approach that puts the customer at the forefront and places accountability on each individual who plays a role in the manufacturing or production process.
Remember: Quality Control and Quality Assurance are critical parts of any production process, ensuring that the end product is high quality and meets requirements and expectations. They are as integral to success as the initial design and development stages.