10 Functions Performed by QA and QC Role in Quality Systems
Maintaining quality is essential for any organization to stay relevant. Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are essential components of a Quality Management System (QMS). Prevention of defects, regular testing, and consistent inspections are some of the functions performed by these processes. Both are important components that play distinct yet complementary roles.
Read on to learn more about the unique functioning of these processes and the benefits they offer.
What Is A Quality Management System?
Quality Management System involves overseeing and maintaining the quality of a product or a service. The quality management team makes sure that the company can perform consistently, meet customer demands, and fulfill compliance requirements.
Quality management systems also include defining quality standards as benchmarks for excellence. A structured plan is developed to outline procedures for the management by the leadership. The plan aims to guarantee consistent quality throughout production and service delivery.
Quality Control vs Quality Assurance
Quality Control is a process that monitors outcomes after the development of a product or service to check if the requirements are met. The process involves diagnosing and addressing issues to ensure that the same quality is maintained post-launch. Glitches, defects, and any other imperfections are checked for.
Quality control activities aim to gain customer loyalty, boost customer satisfaction, and provide insight to the management team for improving future projects.
On the other hand, Quality Assurance is a set of procedures and activities implemented during and after product development. Also called Quality Standards, the purpose of quality assurance in quality management is for the project or product to meet the quality requirement standards.
The aim is to address issues faced by customers after using a product or a service. The quality assurance teams monitor progress and ensure that deadlines are met. Reliability, satisfying customers, and adhering to industry guidelines are the three main functions performed under Quality Assurance.
Role of Quality Control in Quality Systems
Here are five unique roles performed by the quality control system in an organization.
- Monitor Outcomes
Monitoring outcomes is an important function performed by quality control. Processes are modified according to the changes required to maintain quality standards after production. A thorough quality control system will stay updated and address reviews from customers to improve the product or service promptly.
- Timely Error Detection
Defects and discrepancies are identified along the process so that timely action can be taken to modify them. With the help of a quality control system, inconsistencies are addressed by the management promptly to prevent wastage of time, money, and effort.
- Compliance Verification
Quality control activities are essential for an organization to comply with domestic and international standards and laws. Therefore, checking and rechecking are essential to prevent penalties. A good quality control system will make sure that operations align with company-specific quality requirements at all times.
- Customer Satisfaction
Creating and sustaining a loyal customer base is a crucial function performed by a quality control system. Regular testing and inspections enable a business to identify and resolve issues that enhance the company’s reputation. This way, customers remain satisfied with the offering of a company.
- Feedback Consideration
Addressing customer queries and satisfying their wishes is essential for a business to run smoothly and make profits. Complaint analysis and review allow quality control systems to identify areas of improvement. Better product performance and betterment of overall user experience are allowed by the quality control system.
Role of Quality Assurance in Quality Systems
Here are five unique roles performed by the quality assurance system in an organization.
- Proactive Process Development
Proactive measures enable the management and the leadership to make changes in faulty processes. These faults are identified during the production process and the impact is analyzed simultaneously.
- Maintaining Consistency
Consistency in products and services is essential for a business to gain a reputation. With a quality assurance system, uniformity across all processes is maintained making it easier to meet quality goals.
- Risk-Mitigation and Identification
Risk mitigation is essential for risk prevention. Timely risk identification is a quality assurance activity that helps in curbing unnecessary hassle after the launch of a product or a service. The step also includes occupational health and safety of employees for the operations to go smoothly.
- Compliance Auditing
Regulatory and internal guidelines have to be followed for proper auditing. Identification of gaps and implementation of corrective actions are included in quality assurance processes. This way, compliance and quality standards can be met efficiently.
- Enable Team-Collaboration
Multiple departments run simultaneously for a company or a business to function properly. Teams from each department must work together to meet regulatory and compliance standards. This enables streamlining of processes, reduction of errors, and increased accountability which adds to quality assurance processes.
Conclusion
Quality Assurance and Quality Control are two important and complementary systems. The systems work together to prevent issues during the production process and address errors. This allows customer satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. A well-balanced QA and QC strategy not only safeguards product quality but also allows an organization to compete strongly. Therefore, aligning these processes with company objectives will help achieve management the desired results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Compliance Management System?
A Compliance Management System is a set of procedures that ensures the management works by international and domestic laws. The aim is to avoid legal battles and unnecessary payment of fines and penalties.
2. What standard adheres to maintain high-quality products and services?
ISO 9001 specifies ways to satisfy customers and maintain the quality of products and services. Processes for maintaining high-quality standards and meeting regulatory requirements are specified in the document.
3. What standard ensures compliance with laws, rules, and regulations?
ISO 37301 is the global standard for CMS guiding organizations to adhere to laws, rules, and regulations. Compliance procedures, minimizing legal risks, and ensuring ethical principles are all underlined in the document.
4. What are the core principles of QMS?
Following a customer-centric approach, commitment to leadership, employee engagement, and consistent improvement are mainly focused upon. Steps to make informed decisions and maintain mutually beneficial supplier relationships are emphasized.
5. What is the difference between QA and QC?
Quality Assurance is a proactive approach focused on process improvement to prevent quality deterioration and prevention of defects. Quality Control is a reactive process that identifies and corrects defects in finished products.
