The terms quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) are often used interchangeably. Although both are part of quality management, they are far from the same. While QA testing focuses on assuring that the quality requested will be achieved, QC testing focuses on fulfilling the quality requested. QA focuses on preventing defects, while QC focuses on identifying the defects.
Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), and Testing: An Introduction
QA |
QC |
|---|---|
| A set of activities that focus on providing assurance that quality requested will be achieved. | A set of activities that focus on fulfilling the quality requested. |
What is Quality Assurance?
Quality Assurance (QA) is all about ensuring your software meets high standards and performs flawlessly. It focuses on improving reliability and making sure the software is up to the mark. By proactively identifying and resolving issues, QA strives to prevent problems from occurring, resulting in superior software overall.
What is Quality Control?
Quality Control (QC) is all about making sure your software functions as it should. It involves thoroughly examining the software for any issues or glitches after it has been developed. The main aim is to ensure that the software meets all its requirements and operates smoothly as intended.
What is QA Testing?
QA testing is a function of software quality that assures that procedures and standards are appropriate for a project and are correctly executed. The QA team’s job is to improve development and test processes so that defects do not arise when the product is being developed.
What is QC Testing?
QC testing is a function of software quality that checks that the project follows standards, processes, and procedures laid down and that the project produces the required internal and external deliverables. The QC team’s job is to identify defects after a product is developed but before it is released. QC aims to identify (and correct) defects in the finished product.
QA vs. QC: Comparison Overview
# |
QA |
QC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aims to prevent defects | Aims to identify and fix defects |
| 2 | Is a preventive technique | Is a corrective technique |
| 3 | Defines standards and procedures that need to be adhered to in order to meet customer requirements | Ensures that standards are followed while working on the product |
| 4 | Helps build processes | Helps implement the existing processes |
| 5 | Activities are determined before production work begins and performed while the product is being developed | Activities are performed after the product is developed |
| 6 | Is a managerial tool | Is a corrective tool |
| 7 | It is the duty of the complete project team | It is only the duty of the testing team |
| 8 | Comes under the category of verification | Comes under the category of validation |
| 9 | Is a process-oriented exercise | Is a product-oriented exercise |
| 10 | Prevents the occurrence of issues, bugs, or defects in the application | Detects, corrects, and reports the bugs or defects in the application |
| 11 | Does not involve executing the program or code | Involves executing the program or code |
| 12 | Done before Quality Control | Done only after Quality Assurance |
| 13 | Human-based checking of documents or files | Computer-based execution of program or code |
| 14 | Is generally not a time-consuming activity | Is generally a time-consuming activity |
| 15 | Makes sure the quality team is doing the right things in the right way | Makes sure that whatever the quality team has done is as per the requirement |
| 16 | Processes are planned to prevent defects | Processes are planned to discover defects and fix them |
Real-World Impact: A Financial Institution Case Study
Here’s a case of a major credit union that has over 372,000 members and assets worth $4.7 billion. Despite having selected a primary IT vendor for their operations, they recognized that dedicated QA services were mission-critical to their success. This led them to maintain a separate partnership with Synoptek specifically for QA services, demonstrating how essential specialized quality assurance is in the financial sector.
The credit union’s decision on partnering for QA services highlights a crucial point: while general IT services are essential, dedicated QA expertise is often irreplaceable, especially in industries where system failures could impact hundreds of thousands of customers. The QA team conducts regular system audits and performance monitoring to ensure all financial services meet the highest quality standards.
How Do QA, QC, and Testing Work Together?
QA, QC, and testing form a cohesive bond to deliver a top-notch product. QA establishes the standards, QC ensures compliance, and testing verifies that all quality standards are met. This collaborative approach swiftly identifies and resolves issues and ensures a high-quality outcome before it reaches the end-user.
Quality for Success
One of the main reasons many developers skip software testing is that it increases development time; however, that’s not entirely true. Although software testing might seem challenging initially, it only aids in ensuring the quality and reliability of your product.
Two certain ways of ensuring top-notch quality are to carry out QA and QC testing: QA testing verifies that the processes used to manage and create deliverables are followed and recognizes faults in the process, and QC testing ensures that the approaches, techniques, methods, and processes are followed so that project deliverables meet the defined quality standards.
Therefore, software quality processes and delivering a quality product through QA and QC not only save time and money but also mitigate risk and guarantee a competitive edge over rivals—a recipe for success!
Ensure your applications deliver excellence without struggle. . Connect with our experts to explore application management services that offer comprehensive QA, QC, and software testing tailored to meet your business needs.
