Quality assurance refers to the systematic process of ensuring that products or services meet specified requirements and standards. It involves the establishment of processes and procedures to prevent defects and ensure quality throughout the production or service delivery lifecycle.
Characteristics
– Focus on Prevention: Emphasizes preventing defects rather than detecting them after they occur.
– Process-Oriented: Concentrates on improving and standardizing processes to enhance quality.
– Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing efforts to improve products, services, or processes.
– Documentation: Involves thorough documentation of processes, standards, and results for accountability and traceability.
Examples
– Software Development: Implementing code reviews and automated testing to ensure software quality before release.
– Manufacturing: Conducting regular inspections and audits of production processes to maintain product standards.
– Service Industry: Training staff on customer service protocols to ensure consistent and high-quality customer interactions.