Quality assurance process
The quality assurance process can be complicated, and the list of steps can be very long. In order to simplify it, we can integrate it with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model, which is a common tool used for the management of continuous process improvement. Here's how stages of the quality assurance process can be mapped to the PDCA model:
Stage 1: Plan
In this first crucial stage, a quality assurance technician or manager will determine clear-cut goals to produce high-quality products and suggest suitable processes to execute those objectives. At this stage, the business can predict any potential problems.
Stage 2: Do
As the name suggests, this stage allows the implementation of the processes identified in the previous phase. The organization carries out its quality plan, which includes establishing procedures, training staff, and implementing quality controls.
Stage 3: Check
In Stage 3, the results of the tests are checked and compared to what was expected. This helps to see if the products meet the required standards. If they do, then the experts move to the final stage. But if they don't, they go back to the first stage to make necessary improvements.
Stage 4: Act/Adjust
In this final stage, the organization takes action to improve the quality plan based on the results of the previous stage. This involves making changes to the quality plan, implementing new procedures, and continuing to monitor the quality results.
Quality assurance methods
QA (Quality Assurance) methods and tools are techniques and instruments utilized to ensure that products and services meet or exceed established quality standards. To commonly used quality assurance methods, we include:
- Identifying processes
- Quality audit
- Control charts
- Benchmarking
- Cause and effect diagrams
Other more advanced tools include six sigma, failure mode and effects analysis, root cause analysis and poka-yoke (error-proofing) method.
Identifying processes
Identifying processes involves defining organizational processes and standards at the beginning of a project to ensure that the development team follows the right path.
Quality audit
Quality audit is a systematic method used to determine how the outlined processes and standards perform during the development and design period. For example, a quality audit might involve reviewing the design documents to ensure that they meet the project requirements.
Control charts
Quality assurance engineers typically use control charts to view process changes and assess whether they are stable in comparison to historical data. These charts can provide a foundation for predicting potential results and ascertaining whether a project should make basic alterations or avoid specific problems. For example, a control chart might be used to track the defect rate for a product over time.
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a common quality improvement tool that utilizes major performance metrics to find the strengths and weaknesses of procedures. It involves comparing the organization's performance with industry or market standards. Benchmarking can also evaluate prevailing processes in comparison to that of rivals/historic data and hence assist quality assurance experts in recommending suitable actions for improving quality. For example, a company might benchmark its manufacturing processes against those of its competitors to identify areas for improvement.
Cause and effect diagrams
Cause and effect diagrams, also called Fishbone or Ishikawa diagrams, require members to brainstorm and outline all the possible causes of a problem. These diagrams can be useful for identifying root causes of problems and developing solutions. For example, a cause and effect diagram might be used to identify the various factors that contribute to a particular defect in a product.
Internal quality assurance and external quality assurance
Internal quality assurance (IQA) is a process by which an organization ensures that its operations meet quality standards. It involves monitoring and evaluating processes, providing feedback, and implementing improvements in order to maintain and enhance the quality of products or services. IQA is typically carried out by a team within the organization responsible for quality assurance, and it focuses on continuous improvement through feedback and corrective action.
External Quality Assurance (EQA) is a process that ensures consistency, safety, and fairness in assessment and IQA activities carried out by a third party external to the organization. This process is conducted by the Quality Assurer of the Awarding Body.
Quality assurance example
Here are three examples of quality assurance in different industries:
In the manufacturing industry, quality assurance involves inspecting and testing each product during and after production to ensure that it meets the required standards and specifications.
In software development, quality assurance involves testing the software thoroughly to identify any bugs or issues that may impact the functionality or user experience.
In healthcare, quality assurance involves reviewing medical procedures and protocols to ensure that they are safe, effective, and comply with industry standards and regulations. This may include monitoring patient outcomes and conducting regular audits to identify areas for improvement.
The main principles of Toyota’s quality assurance system include ‘customer first’ and ‘quality first'. These principles were formed when the organisation was established. The aim of the quality assurance team is to make sure that each vehicle that comes out of any of their worldwide factories fulfils the organisation’s high standards for safety and quality. There are around 2000 checks performed on every vehicle prior to signing it off as ready for delivery.
Advantages and disadvantages of quality assurance
Quality assurance helps to ensure that products and services meet or exceed customer expectations. While there are various advantages to implementing quality assurance processes, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. In this regard, below are some advantages and disadvantages of quality assurance that businesses should be aware of.
Advantages of quality assurance
Advantages of quality assurance include:
- Consistent and predictable quality of products or services
- Reduction in defects, waste, and errors
- Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Improved efficiency and productivity
- Identification of areas for process improvement
- Compliance with regulations and standards
Disadvantages of quality assurance
Disadvantages of quality assurance include:
- High initial investment in resources and training
- Time-consuming and complex process
- May create a bureaucratic and rigid system
- Can be difficult to measure the effectiveness of quality assurance
- May not be suitable for all industries or types of projects
- Can lead to a false sense of security and complacency
Quality assurance vs quality control
The main difference between quality assurance and quality control is that QA focuses on developing processes to achieve the expected level of quality and avoid defects, while QC is the process of identifying defects and verifying the quality.
The following table shows the difference between quality assurance and quality control.
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