Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control Explained: 6 Key Differences

Ensuring quality control throughout production is one of the most pressing challenges for most industries. In the IT sector, in particular, the high quality of the services is a fundamental criterion, and the measurement of the quality of the developed solutions is a key link in meeting customer needs. This was the reason for the creation of a number of rules and procedures, as well as software testing services, that exist to deliver robust and bug-free software products.

To be more specific about the latter, there are Quality Control and Quality Assurance. 

However, Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) are two different methodologies for achieving product excellence. Also, They are often used interchangeably, which sparks confusion among many. In reality, though, alongside some similarities, Quality Control and Quality Assurance also have several fundamental differences.

In this article, we will look at:

• How QA differs from QC
• The similarities between QA and QC in software development
• How you can combine the two procedures in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

How QA and QC Offer the Best Approach to Software Quality

Quality Control and Quality Assurance are vital for the quality management process. They both play a pivotal role in ensuring the final product meets the required needs and standards. However, Both have a totally different focus. Also, You can achieve the perfect outcome for your product or service quality with the right QA service.

What is Quality Assurance?

The main task of QA lies in ensuring long-term improvement in all software development processes. To achieve this goal, quality assurance covers the entire software development life cycle (SDLC), from specifications to further release and maintenance of the product. In other words, a good quality management process should: 

• Pinpoint potential weaknesses in your SDLC
• Resolve these issues 
• Improve the fundamental processes 

Thus, the main advantage of QA lies in preventing product defects, consequently improving the quality of the product and, as a result, providing a competitive advantage.

Here you might think that good Quality Assurance completely eliminates the need for Quality Control. But that would be a wrong conclusion. Software development is inherently volatile and error-prone, so there is no guarantee that new updates will not introduce a series of bugs into an already developed system. And here QC comes to the rescue. 

What is Quality Control?

Quality Control or Software Quality Control (SQC) includes several activities to ensure software products are of the right quality. Although the procedure is regulated by QA, it is rather intended to point out defects in final products. Also, This could be glitches, bugs, or specification discrepancies. 

The benefits of Quality Control include:

• Minimizing production costs
• Reducing complaints on a specific product after delivery
• Promoting quality alertness

The Differences Between Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Yes, Quality Control and Quality Assurance are similar terms, but not knowing the fundamental difference between them can cause a lot of confusion. Although, Let’s look at how they differ in breadth, focus, objectives, completion times, and activities. 

Objectives: Prevention Vs. Detection

Quality Assurance is mostly meant to prevent a product’s bugs or defects. Quality Control, on the other hand, meant to detect and provide fixes. The primary aim of QA is to measure any issues that may arise before or during the Software Development Life Cycle. Also, It sets up a criterion for a particular software product. 

However, Quality Control acts as a detector that helps to identify flaws and bugs after the completion of the development to ensure your product meets the set criteria. 

Focus: Process Vs. Product

Quality Assurance is about documenting, planning, and executing directions to make the process better. Before starting a project, it is important to carry out QA planning to set out the software blueprint. Also, The quality assurance outcomes include test plans, development process inspection, and tracking tools arrangement. 

On the other hand, Quality Control carries out activities meant to determine a product’s quality levels. You should adhere to all the policies and standards outlined by the QA when performing Quality Control. 

QC involves the use of various testing methods (integration, vulnerability testing, unit, etc.), reports, and dependence on testing metrics. You should agree on the quality measurement procedures before the start of the project since some of the testing metrics and tests are used to enhance the efficacy levels of the complete SDLC procedure but not the final product.

Breadth: Testing Phase Vs. Full SDLC

QA is a preventive procedure and a dedicated measure to guarantee the product’s quality. QC is a reactive measure and corrective procedure. Also, It is usually restricted to the testing/review phase in Software Development Life Cycle. However, It is different in QA, which may repeated and conducted with the development in CD/CI.

Involvement: Testing Team Vs. Whole Team

The other primary difference between QA and QC is the separation of responsibilities. Every member of the development team has a role in quality assurance. Also, Testing teams are usually responsible for quality control, which is evaluating the final product for defects. It is vital for product development because it helps ensure the necessary improvements are made to the final product. 

Activities: Processes Vs. Procedures

Quality Assurance is a process-focused procedure that helps to prevent quality challenges. It involves processes like:

• Audits
• Documentation
• Process outline and implementation
• Change control
• Team training

Quality Control, on the other hand, focuses on the final product. To maintain quality, Quality Control involves particular procedures, which include:

• Batch reviews
• Validation testing
• Quality metrics

Completion: Before the Release Vs. Throughout the Process

The QA team is responsible for outlining the processes, developing checklists, defining standards, etc., which should be adhered to during the complete SDLC. The quality control department makes sure the products work. Normally, this happens during testing phase. 

Criteria	Quality Assurance	Quality Control
Objectives	Defect prevention by evaluating and regulating software development processes	Identification and elimination of defects in released products
Focus	Process	Product
Breadth	Full software development life cycle	Software testing phase
Involvement	Whole development team	Testing team
Activities	Documentation Process definition and implementation Audits Team training Change control	Quality metrics Batch reviews Product sampling Validation testing Laboratory testing
Completion	Throughout the process	Performed only after QA activity is done (usually before the release)

QA and QC are equally important in ensuring the quality of a specific product despite the many differences. They are used together to pay attention to various parts of software development. These two procedures work best when combined. 

Quality Assurance vs Quality Control: Quick Summary

How to Combine QA and QC

Most companies usually think they have both QA and QC working for them when they only have software testing and quality control. Quality Assurance is important and should be used first during the initial phase of SDLC. Also, Quality Control should be introduced after the product’s completion to ensure its functioning as required. 

Conclusion

As you can see, although the two terms are very similar, each one plays a specific role within the software development industry. While Quality Control aims to improve the internal production processes themselves, creating standardization, Quality Assurance ensures compliance with actions in all spheres of the company.

In summary, it can be said that Quality Control focuses on improving processes and products. Quality Assurance acts as an audit, checking that quality requirements are being met.

Also, You are guaranteed quality software products with the right QA service that meets the required market standards. However, At Edvantis, we offer the best software testing services combining proven QA and software testing technologies that deliver robust and bug-free software products. 

Visit https://www.edvantis.com/ for more of our services!