Kavitha Roberts

• Nov 29th, 2005

 

System of procedures, checks, audits, and corrective actions to ensure that all research, design, performance, environmental monitoring and sampling, and other technical and reporting activities are of the highest achievable quality. Quality assurance is defined as a set of procedures designed to ensure that quality standards and processes are adhered to and that the final product meets or exceeds the required technical and performance requirements. Quality assurance is a widely used approach in the software industry to improve upon product delivery and the meeting of customer requirements and expectations.  

mathan_vel

 Profile Answers by mathan_vel Questions by mathan_vel

• Dec 10th, 2009

 

Quality assurance, or QA for short, refers to planned and systematic production processes that provide confidence in a product's suitability for its intended purpose. It is a set of activities intended to ensure that products (goods and/or services) satisfy customer requirements in a systematic, reliable fashion. QA cannot absolutely guarantee the production of quality products, unfortunately, but makes this more likely.

Two key principles characterise QA: "fit for purpose" (the product should be suitable for the intended purpose) and "right first time" (mistakes should be eliminated). QA includes regulation of the quality of raw materials, assemblies, products and components; services related to production; and management, production and inspection processes.

It is important to realize also that quality is determined by the intended users, clients or customers, not by society in general: it is not the same as 'expensive' or 'high quality'. Even goods with low prices can be considered quality items if they meet a market need.