Quality assurance (QA) is the process of preventing product failures. It is an ongoing process throughout the product development cycle that involves identifying and addressing the sources of quality issues before the final product is released to customers. Some commonly used QA methods include system testing, usability testing, and feature testing.
QA is a key component of an effective quality management system. It requires careful planning, execution, documentation, and collaboration between multiple stakeholders (designers, engineers, quality, etc.). The goal is to ensure that the end product is safe, reliable, and meets customer expectations, In turn, companies increase customer satisfaction and decrease costs associated with rework, repairs, or returns.
Advantages of instituting a Quality Management System (QMS) include elevated customer satisfaction, improved operational efficiency, empowered decision-making, reduced costs, and enhanced brand reputation. A QMS fosters consistency, mitigates risks, and supports continuous improvement, driving long-term success.
Read our guides to learn best practices on how to eliminate issues and risks and launch high-quality, compliant products to market.