Quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI) are related but different. QA makes sure work meets an agreed standard every time. QI raises that standard by changing the process.
Quality assurance
- Focus: conformance to requirements and prevention of defects
- Typical activities: procedures, inspections, audits, training, document control
- Question it answers: are we doing what we said we would do?
Quality improvement
- Focus: better performance — fewer defects, faster service, lower cost
- Typical activities: data analysis, root cause analysis, PDCA, Lean Six Sigma projects
- Question it answers: how can we do this better?
Why you need both
QA without QI keeps a process stable at a mediocre level. QI without QA makes gains that soon slip back. A good management system such as ISO 9001 combines them: assurance through documented processes and audits, improvement through corrective action and continual improvement.
