Which of the following best describes quality control?

Quality control is a systematic process aimed at ensuring that a product or service meets specified requirements and is free from defects. The best description of quality control in the context of the provided options is one that accurately conveys its primary function, which primarily revolves around checking and verifying outputs after they have been produced.

When considering the chosen option about checking outputs for defects, this aligns directly with the objectives of quality control. The focus of quality control involves assessing the final products or outputs to ensure they meet established standards and are acceptable for distribution or sale. This typically involves various inspection methods and testing protocols designed to identify any defects or variances from the quality benchmarks.

The other options describe related concepts but do not specifically capture the essence of what quality control entails. Building quality into processes relates more to quality assurance, which is about implementing workflows and processes that inherently reduce the chance of defects occurring. Preventing defects by monitoring touches on proactive measures, often associated with quality assurance efforts as well. Focusing on team leadership pertains to organizational structure and management strategies rather than the specific function of quality control.

Thus, the emphasis of quality control as being centered around checking and verifying outputs is what makes this option the most accurate representation of the concept.