Quality Assurance (QA)
vs. Quality Control (QC)
The 5 major differences
Proactive (QA) vs.
Reactive (QC)
QA is proactive.
Its goal is to establish a framework for
minimizing issues from the
beginning—preventing defects before they arise
via process design by establishing processes like
SOPs aligned with ISO standards.
QC is reactive.
Its goal is to identify defects in product quality
after they’ve occurred by testing products to
ensure they meet the QA-defined requirements.
If any quality issue is identified, then several
CAPA need to be taken in order to fix it.
Process (QA) vs.
Product (QC)
QA is process-oriented.
It primarily focuses on processes and
procedures for improving quality and
preventing quality defects before they occur.
QC is product-oriented.
It focuses on products by determining quality
defects in finished products that might affect
customer satisfaction.
System (QA) vs.
Parts (QC)
QA is system-oriented.
It focuses on establishing procedures and
methods defined by ISO standards and
regulatory requirements. The goal is to ensure
inputs, such as supplier audits, are always safe
and effective.
QC is parts-oriented.
It focuses on measuring specific components
used to create the final product, like raw
materials from suppliers or outputs of the QA
system, to ensure they meet quality
requirements.
Creation (QA) vs.
Verification (QC)
QA is focused on creating standards.
These standards apply to every step of
production, from design and manufacturing to
packaging, storage, distribution, marketing, and
sales, with the goal of ensuring consistent,
high-quality products.
QC is focused on verifying the finished
product.
It involves testing and measuring to ensure the
product meets quality standards before it is
distributed.
Entire Team (QA) vs.
Dedicated Personnel (QC)
QA is process-oriented.
It defines standards for training, documentation,
and review, making quality management an
organization-wide effort where everyone must
follow the defined SOPs.
QC is product-oriented.
Quality Control professionals follow SOPs to
perform product testing and ensure quality.
Typical QC steps
Problem Identification
Problem Analysis
Problem
correction
Feedback
to QA
Q/P t QA
Typical QA steps
I/P from QC
Data Gatheting
Problem Trend Analysis
Process Identification
Process Analysis
Process Improvement
Discover the key differences
and similarities between
Quality Assurance vs
Quality Control
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