What is Quality Assurance (QA)?

Quality Assurance (QA) is an over-arching function

• A QA function serves as a vehicle to provide processes, methods, measurement, adaptation, continuous learning and adjustments
• QA metrics are the results of systematic observation of recording behavior for the purpose of creating adaptive standards and controls
• The ultimate purpose is overall betterment of the QA target on a continual basis
• It is proactive, not reactive
• It is generally invoked at higher organizational levels other than line functions 
• Longer timeframes are taken into account with QA in contrast to QC (Quality Control)
• QC is more of a back end function 
• The effort and cost of QA can be visualized as on a sliding scale - it is vital to determine tolerance level for risks and unknowns
• What is "good enough"?
• QA is rooted in manufacturing disciplines yet its principles can be applied to services and knowledge work
• It forces scrutiny and examination in a timely manner
• Quality denotes conformance to specifications, fitness for use or purpose