Quality assurance- definition, benefits & costs

Quality Assurance in Business

Quality assurance is a proactive approach to quality management, where quality is integrated into the production process at every stage. It involves continuous monitoring and improvement to ensure that products meet established quality standards.

Benefits of Quality Assurance

• Quality assurance aims for zero defects in the final product by preventing faulty items from being produced in the first place.
• Quality assurance involves all staff members checking items at every stage, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for delivering quality.
• Products are checked throughout the production process for quality assurance, allowing quick identification and rectification of mistakes, and reducing waste.

Costs of Quality Assurance

• Quality assurance involves frequent checks and inspections throughout production, which can be costly in terms of time and resources.
• The regular checks and inspections associated with quality assurance may reduce production speed, potentially lowering overall productivity.

Total Quality Management (TQM)

• Implementing quality assurance often requires Total Quality Management (TQM), which involves changing the business culture to prioritise quality at all levels.
• TQM seeks to engage employees in caring about how products are made and ensuring that quality standards are consistently met.

In summary, quality assurance is a proactive approach to quality management that aims to prevent defects by building quality into the production process at every stage. It fosters a culture of shared responsibility, early defect detection, and zero-defect production. While it reduces waste and improves product quality, it may involve higher costs due to frequent inspections and potential impacts on productivity. Total Quality Management (TQM) is often associated with quality assurance, driving a cultural shift toward a commitment to quality throughout the organisation.