Some are asking “What is Quality Assurance?” and “What is Quality Control?” Well! Let us discuss clearly one by one and in detail so that we eventually understand what are its differences?
There are various meanings of Quality Assurance and Quality Control but here are the best I’ve been able to find and best fit for us as QA/QC Engineers in the Construction Industry.
But before going through let me define the “Quality” first because the word Quality is a foundation of what we call “Quality Assurance and Quality Control.”
What is Quality?
The meaning of Quality is explained in my previous post please click here.
Quality is a measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects, deficiencies, and significant variations, brought about by the strict and consistent adherence to measurable and verifiable standards to achieve uniformity of output that satisfies specific customer or user requirements.
Let’s give the differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control. We will show samples of QA and QC actions on the below tabulations.
Quality Assurance
- The planned and systematic activities implemented in a quality system so that quality requirements for a product or service will be fulfilled.
- Means of providing confidence that quality requirements will be met.
Quality Control
- The observation techniques and activities used to fulfill the requirement for quality.
- Mechanism used, such as checks or tests that are performed to ensure that requirements are met.
Here are six samples that we can see the differences between Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality Assurance versus Quality Control
| Item | Quality Assurance, QA | Quality Control, QC |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Project Procurement | QA provided Scope of Work, Conditions of Contract, Specification. | QC is to adopt and follow what are the requirements in the Scope of work, Condition of Contract, Specification. And to execute the project as per such standards in no more no less. QC shall make sure that all works to be executed as per standards and drawings. |
| 2. Drawing | QA ensures drawings are submitted and approved by the Local Authorities and or Engineer for site application. | QC will conduct periodical checks of revisions and issue log of drawings to staff to update them for the new revisions. QC will withdraw uncontrolled copy of drawings. |
| 3. Materials | QA is to make sure materials is submitted via Material Approval Request (MAR) and shall ensure compliance of specification. | QC is to Monitor the latest revision of Material Approval Request (MAR) by acquiring material log sheet from Document Control. QC is to check materials upon arrival on site to verify compliance from the approved MAR. QC is to conduct site surveillance for the materials used on site. |
| 4. Document Controller | QA to record the outgoing and incoming of the materials submittal or MAR, Drawings and Related Documents and make sure recorded it in log sheets. Document controlling process or procedure set out in the company procedures shall be followed. | QC shall make sure that such documents are stamped and filed in a manner that it can be searchable. When placed in box files make sure clearly labeled. QC shall stamped drawings with "Controlled Copy" for the latest revision and otherwise stamped as "Superseded". Drawing shall Stamped "Issued for Construction" when released for site use. |
| 5. QA/QC Engineer | Example: Ceramic tile Material QA shall make sure that material has MAR approved. | QC shall issue a Material Inspection for checking with the Engineer. QC shall verify the size, thickness, colour shade and the supplier. Requirements from approved MAR shall be verified by means of such physical check. |
| 6. Site Activity | QA is concern with the fabrication of Method Statement, Inspection and Test Plan including Checklist for each activity in order to meet the requirements. | QC is to check and verify the activity, material and tests by means of Inspections as detailed in the MS and ITP. Stages of activity that will satisfy standard or requirements shall be written on Checklist. |
Related Articles:
- How a Quality Assurance and Quality Control Engineer in Dubai Could Double His Job Offer
- 7 Reasons Why You Should Make Quality Assurance And Quality Control Engineer As Your First Choice Career
- The Quality Assurance And Quality Control Reports
- What the World Would Be Like If Quality Engineer (QA QC ) Didn’t Exist
If you follow these principles of quality assurance and quality control you won’t be lost in the journey of your project. It is advised to ensure and establish necessary documents in your project first by collecting thru the technical department. Your technical department is the hub of all project documents.
The technical department is the main source of related documents, may it be drawing, material technical data, contract, etc.
The task of a quality engineer is to ensure that all documents are approved by the approving party may it be consultant or client or representative of the client.
A quality engineer should raise concerns to the management if the materials used on site found no approved documents which is what we called materials approval request or material submittal.
The quality control engineer then should make sure that all works on site shall be as per approved documents. If a completed activity does not follow from the approved drawing or material submittal then an issue will be raised by way of nonconformance report.
Hoping the above post has helped you understand the differences between quality assurance and quality control.
If you have suggestions and supplements on the above post, you are free to share or leave your reply below.
Featured image courtesy of kliverap/hxc.hu
Sir I need a Duties and Responsibilities of a QA/QC Engineer in PDF…
Hi Yuvaraj,
You can search it here. Just type in “duties and responsibilities” on the search the site tab then the website will reveal if for you.
Thanks for stopping by.
Very useful article. I am a fresh qc inspector working in gasco. Somebody asked me about the difference in qa and qc , I was looking for a blog that best describes it and this one is the best. Another major question I have is what is the best certification body to get qa qc certification? I too my qa qc certification from TUV, wonder whether there is anything that hold more value in terms of getting jobs.
Hi Pranoy,
Firstly, thanks for coming across my blog.
You can check out my about me page and you will see what certifications I’ve attended and you can follow that too. I think those are all viable for getting a job. Just to give you an insight, an HR called me and asked me if I’ve taken ISO 9001 and thankfully I said, “yes.” You know what I mean. So, if I were you take that one first.
Sir
Actually I have to knw the diffrnce btwn a civil engineer and QA/QC jobs.
I have completed btech in civil.
Hello, my name is Blixen and I’m a civil engineering student please explain the importance of drawing quality assurance and how to ensure quality assurance in a drawing office.
Hi Blixen,
Sure, I’m gonna do it for you. I’ll make a video about that, in the meantime subscribe to my youtube channel so you’ll see the new vlog post everytime I upload.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
I would like to correspond with you directly by e-mail.
Please write to my personal address…
Regards,
S.Soyer
Hi sir,
I want to know the difference between HVAC and QA QC IN HVAC. Presently I am taking a course of HVAC. Is it beneficial to take QA QC IN HVAC?
Thank you for your info . I’m QC engineer from Viet Nam
You are welcome and thanks for coming across my blog. Keep commenting.
Deat noel
Please how to be QA engineer as i am new in QAQC field, i am 14 years experience in construction projects
Hi, I am Mohammed Imran and am currently working as a QA/QC Engineer here in UAE.
I just want say a big thanks for you as u provide great info here and this helped me a lot.
#Keep it going.!!
Hello,
Welcome and a big thanks too for coming across my blog.
Very nice sir
Just Great Sir…… What a simple, yet perfect definition of all terms…..
It’s a great website for me about QC Civil Inspector, basically, I’m Civil Engineer and now I’m working as a QC Civil Inspector in Saudi Arabia.
Thanks for sharing good knowledge.
Congrats! Welcome to the club 🙂 Thanks for being here.
Dear Sir,
I just wanna say thank you….
Welcome.
You are a great help for people who are new in this career and I am very proud of seeing a “Kabayan” having this blog site on the world wide web, more power to you and may GOD bless you.
Thank you for the nice words Kabayan :). God bless you too.
Do we require soil height to be maintained in isolated footing, if distance between the footing is very-2 less?
As my experience in structural design, I designed a two storey building I put depth of footing 1.2 meter tied with beam below ground level. And It is not a requirement of soil ht., it is based to your design. Here as a QA/QC Engineer at our Airport Project we used isolated footing some are 1.0 meter and some are 1.5 meter depth for bigger footing. In summary, it is as per structural design.
Thanks Ed.
Nice reference! Very informative…