Quality Assurance vs Quality Control: 4 Major Differences You Need to Know

The main difference between Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control lies in their roles within quality management. Quality assurance focuses on how a process is performed or how a product is made, ensuring that the right methods and procedures are in place. In contrast, quality control is more about the inspection aspect, ensuring the final product meets the required standards.

Did you know that retaining mobile app users is notoriously difficult? Most apps struggle to inspire user loyalty, with only 25% of users returning after the first day, and retention rates dropping sharply thereafter. This is why robust QA and QC testing are crucial.

In this article, we’ll discuss four key differences between QA and QC testing methods, providing you with a clear understanding of how to implement these practices effectively.

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What is Testing?

Testing is the process of checking software against specific requirements. The purpose of testing is to find bugs, defects and problems in the application before it is released for production. Testers document these issues in issue reports, which are then analyzed and fixed by developers. The whole process is done to ensure that the software works correctly and efficiently, meeting the expectations of users.

Testing can be performed manually, when a tester runs the program and checks its performance, or automatically, when tests are run automatically using special tools. Specialists use various methods and approaches to complete this task, for example, functional, integration, system and load testing, etc. Nevertheless, let’s proceed to the QA/QC meaning.

What is Quality Control Testing (QC)?

Quality Control (QC) is the process of checking a finished product or its components against specified requirements. The main task of QC is to detect defects and errors in a project before its result is released for production. QC testing may include basic testing, data analysis, and performance evaluation. 

The main task of QC is quality control, carried out primarily through product testing. For this purpose, a separate team creates and conducts a series of tests for comprehensive testing of the product. 

Also, the tasks of quality control include checking and ensuring the proper level of test coverage, so that no part of the software is left without attention and verification. Otherwise, there is a risk of missing some bugs that could become critical to the life and functioning of your software solution. 

Another task of quality control, last but not least, is to certify that the product meets customer demands. It is essential that all functional and non-functional requirements are met, otherwise, even if there are no bugs, the product cannot be considered quality.

What is Quality Assurance Testing (QA)?

Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of controlling and managing the quality of a product at all stages of its development and production. QA testing is designed to ensure that the development process meets the quality standards specified by the requirements for the finished product. The main purpose of QA is to create and maintain processes that ensure the production of high-quality products across all phases.

QA includes activities such as quality planning, quality management, process analysis, quality audits, staff training and development, and risk management. All of them are aimed at improving product quality, reducing risks, and making the development process more efficient.

What is The Difference Between QA and QC?

Contrary to popular belief, QA and QC are not the same thing, and you can’t swap them. Nevertheless, they are both very related, which sometimes makes it extremely difficult to explain the difference. The truth is that while the terms are related, their concepts are different. Although both QA and QC are elements of quality management, QA is more about defect prevention while QC is about identifying problems.

Of course, the actual responsibilities in each of these positions may vary from organization to organization and from project to project. However, QA specialists do the planning and management of processes, QA performs high-quality product validation for standards and requirements, and testers test the product for defects and in addition. Moreover, QA engineers help establish metrics to assess product quality and determine which ones will be used for the next release. They can use automated tests to check the code against specified standards and requirements.

QC test engineers, on the other hand, are involved in directly checking the quality control of the product. They are responsible for testing the high-quality product against specified quality standards, including functional compliance testing, user experience testing, performance testing, and security testing. They also keep track of bugs and defects associated with the product and prioritize them and determine their importance for the correct operation of the application.

Testers are involved in the direct execution of tests on the product. They create test scenarios and plans, run tests, and document results. They also track bugs and defects associated with the product and prioritize their importance to the correct operation of the application.

Each of these positions (Testing-QC-QA considered as a position on a project) plays an important role in ensuring product quality. QA engineers define quality control criteria and help developers create a high-quality product that meets those criteria. QC engineers verify that the product meets specified quality standards. Testers conduct testing to determine if the product meets the requirements and expectations of users. Next we will look at the top 4 features that distinguish QA from QC.

1. Quality Assurance is Reactive, While QC is Proactive.

Through careful process design, the quality assurance service strives to prevent disruptions. Thus, it is a proactive strategy. Quality control, on the other hand, aims at identifying shortcomings once they occur and taking appropriate action.

Process planning (including standard operating procedures, workplace organization, training, and visual management) helps prevent errors, making them either rare or non-existent with proper quality control assurance. Thus, every time testers repeat the process, the ideal result is a safe, efficient high-quality product that meets the customer’s needs. Thus, quality control occurs after the process is completed and, at best, prevents defective products from reaching customers.

2. Quality Control Testing is Discrete, While Quality Assurance Testing is Systemic.

Both quality assurance and quality control are strategies for maintaining high standards, although they address different issues. The question “Does the system provide defect-free goods or services that satisfy customer needs?” is for quality assurance. While the question “Does the product created by the system meet quality standards?” is for quality control.

QA checks the product for compliance with customer requirements, and testers strain the product for defects. Moreover, QA helps establish metrics to assess the quality of the product and determine which ones will be used for the next release. It also uses automated tests to check the code against specified standards and requirements.

On the other hand, QC is involved in directly checking the quality of the product. This type of testing is responsible for straining the product against specified quality standards, including functional compliance testing, user experience testing, performance testing, and security testing. It also keeps track of bugs and defects associated with the product, prioritizes them and determines their importance for the correct operation of the application.

3. The Entire Team is Involved in Quality Assurance, While Dedicated Personnel are Involved in Quality Control.

Even if their only responsibility is to perform routine tasks, each team member contributes to quality control assurance. For example, an employee is engaged in quality control every time he or she identifies and suggests an opportunity for improvement. Likewise, those who set benchmarks, record processes and perform corrective actions contribute to quality assurance.

In many cases, designated individuals in the business are responsible for testing products as well as quality control through inspection. These employees record deficiencies, report them, and, if necessary, respond.

4. Quality Control is a Temporary Activity, While Quality Assurance is a Continuous Procedure.

In some respects, quality control is more like a picture when quality assurance is like a movie. While quality control activities continue throughout the process, which can take days or even weeks, the final product is available for quality control inspection only after it is completed. As process improvements are introduced, the components of quality assurance also change over time. Quality control, on the other hand, is usually very consistent over time.

Wrapping Up 

In conclusion, we can say that testing-QC-QA are three different but interrelated concepts that play an important role in the software development process. Testing finds defects, quality control checks against requirements, and quality assurance ensures the entire product’s quality throughout development. 

Comparing the activities and responsibilities of QC and QA gives a good grade in different environments. QC confirms that specific deliverables meet standards and specifications. In contrast, QA is a broader function encompassing planning and control throughout the development life cycle. Testing, on the other hand, is an integral part of quality control. For an organization to effectively implement quality management processes, these streams must work in tandem. 

The creation of quality software, as well as the process of its maintenance, are basic elements in the lifecycle of any web product. This means that standards must be adhered to at all times, maximizing user satisfaction with the software’s functionality. Contact LITSLINK to build the app or software that will revolutionize your market performance!