How does quality assurance differ from quality control?

Quality assurance being proactive means that it is centered around preventing defects and ensuring quality standards are met throughout the entire process of production or service delivery. This involves creating systems and processes that aim to enhance quality from the very beginning, focusing on the design and implementation of processes that lead to high quality outcomes.

In contrast, quality control is reactive. It usually takes place after the product has been developed or produced, focusing on identifying defects or faults in the finished product. The aim is to ensure that any products that do not meet pre-defined quality standards are rejected or corrected, thereby responding to quality issues rather than preventing them from occurring in the first place.

This difference in approach highlights how quality assurance establishes a framework that promotes quality throughout the lifecycle of production, while quality control acts as a checkpoint to catch issues after the fact. Understanding this distinction is crucial in managing quality effectively within any business or manufacturing process.