quality assuranceQuality AssuranceWhat is Quality Assurance?Quality assurance is the process of verifying or determining whether products or services meet or exceed customer expectations. Quality assurance is a process-driven approach with specific steps to help define and attain goals. This process considers design, development, production, and service.The most popular tool used to determine quality assurance is the Shewhart Cycle, developed by Dr. W. Edwards Deming. This cycle for quality assurance consists of four steps: Plan, Do, Check, and Act. These stepsare commonly abbreviated as PDCA.The four quality assurance steps within the PDCA model stand for: , Plan: Establish objectives and processes required to deliver the desired results., Do: Implement the process developed., Check: Monitor and evaluate the implemented process by testing the results against the predetermined objectives, Act: Apply actions necessary for improvement if the resultsrequirechanges.PDCA is an effective method for monitoring quality assurance because it analyzes existing conditions and methods used to provide the product or service customers. The goal is to ensure that excellence is inherent in every component of the process. Quality assurance also helps determine whether the steps used to provide the product or service are appropriate for the time and conditions. In addition, if the PDCA cycle is repeated throughout the lifetime of the product or service, it helps improve internal company efficiency.Quality assurance demands a degree of detail in order to be fully implemented at every step. Planning, for example, could include investigation into the quality of the raw materials used in manufacturing, the actual assembly, or the inspection processes used. The Checking stepcould include customer feedback, surveys, or other marketingvehicles todetermine if customer needs are being exceeded and why they are or are not. Acting could mean a total revision in the manufacturing process in order to correct a technical or cosmetic flaw.Competition to provide specialized products and services results in breakthroughs as well as long-term growth and change. Quality assurance verifies that any customer offering, regardless if it is new or evolved, is produced and offered with the best possible materials, in the most comprehensive way, with the highest standards. The goal to exceedcustomer expectations in a measurable and accountable process is provided by quality assurance.Quality Assurance Courses, Educational material may thus include Six Sigma and ISO 9000, whichare often perceived as industry-leading standards for qualityassurance. Students may also receive quality control training in systems analysis and failure as well as measurement science., After you become a quality control analyst with a particular employer,you will have specific quality control analyst training. This will teach youthe company's own techniques for quality assurance. This mayinclude reading meters and blueprints, adhering to strict safety standards, learning new computer programs and reporting results according to a predetermined style or template.Quality Control And QualityAssurance, When maintaining the data is key to tasks that involve the well-being ofindividuals, such as patients in a hospital or healthcare facility, dataquality control helps to prevent the development of misinformation thatcould have a detrimental impact on the treatment process, possibly placing the life of the patient in danger. Using a combination of dataquality control and quality assurance helps to keep data current, identify and correct inconsistencies, and in general keepinformationusable for a variety of purposes., Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably by job websites, there is a difference between quality control and quality assurance. Generally, quality control careers involve testing productsto ensure a minimum level of quality set by the manufacturer orgovernment regulation agencies.Quality Assurance Plan, The most popular tool used to determine quality assurance is the Shewhart Cycle, developed by Dr. W. Edwards Deming. This cycle for quality assurance consists of four steps: Plan, Do, Check, and Act.These steps are commonly abbreviated as PDCA., In attempts to improve the value of the business, a quality assuranceofficer devises new plans to advance the effectiveness of production practices. This typically entails the implementation of moreefficientsystems designed by the officer.Quality Assurance Jobs, For example, there are colleges in the United States that offer associatedegrees in quality control management. As quality assurance jobs become increasingly automated over time, knowledge of computerprogramming and software is likely become more and more essential for employees., The analyst validates the phone staff is friendly and personable duringinteractions with the customers. Quality assurance jobs typically require a strong knowledge of the business processes of anorganization.Quality Control And Assurance, Tools of this type are constantly gathering and arranging data in formats that quality control and assurance personnel can evaluate.Use of this type of automated software can make it possible to identifypotential quality issues before they have the chance to impact the customer, thus allowing the company to retain its good name as well asits client base., Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably by job websites, there is a difference between quality control and qualityassurance. Generally, quality control careers involve testing productsto ensure a minimum level of quality set by the manufacturer orgovernment regulation agencies., Quality Assurance Systems, Typical quality assurance officer responsibilities include analyzingbusiness needs and areas for improvement, developing newprocedures that ensure higher quality products or methods ofproduction, and defining budgetary needs and the proper distribution ofresources. Quality assurance officer jobs are available in a diverse array of fields, from manufacturing and construction to public serviceorganizations and food production facilities., Workers will also likely be taught proper techniques for quality control,safety, and blueprint reading. Most individuals with careers in qualityassurance work for manufacturing companies, where theirresponsibilities revolve around ensuring products are safe andundamaged.Quality Assurance Standards, Creating a good quality control process is a part of most successfulbusiness ventures. Maintaining high quality control standards can helpimprove company reputation and make the workplace safer and more pleasant for employees., Typical quality assurance officer responsibilities include analyzingbusiness needs and areas for improvement, developing newprocedures that ensure higher quality products or methods ofproduction, and defining budgetary needs and the proper distribution ofresources. Quality assurance officer jobs are available in a diverse array of fields, from manufacturing and construction to public serviceorganizations and food production facilities.What Does a Quality Assurance Director Do?A quality assurance director (QA Dir) is responsible for ensuringthat the overall standards of the company are met or exceeded within every area of the workplace. Often, a set of guidelines will be drafted by the quality assurance director to enforce the company’s values. The position is also often responsible for hiring skilled laborers, managing various developmental teams within the organization, and meeting withclients to design and modify products to fit their overall business needs. Anotherlarge aspect of this position is evaluating the performancehistories of both employees and machinery to discover more efficient methods of operation.The main responsibility of a quality assurance manager is theability tolead, because in large, complex businesses, it is almost impossiblefor one person to directly oversee every aspect of this position. Training department managers to locate and correct potential problems before they occur is a huge aspect of quality assurance, not only from a profit standpoint, but also from a safety standpoint. In some industries, quality assurance directors also work alongside the staff to create new products or improve existing ones, meaning that they have to beextremely organized and very flexible within their daily operations.In essence, all businesses ranging from a small mom-and-poprestaurant to a massive Fortune 500 company have a quality assurance director, even if that precise title is not given. Within smaller storefronts, these responsibilities may fall on the owner or the store manager, while inmid-size d companies, it may be the human relation’s director that handles these types of quality-control tasks. Large corporationsnormally havea full staff of employees that work directly under the quality assurance director to ensure that compliance is met within every facet of the business. Regardless of the actual title, none of those companies would remain in business long without this performance-driver leadership role. Candidates applying to become a quality assurance director normally have at least a bach elor’s degree within the particular field of interest andmanagerial experience from previous employment. Besides the physical aspects of the job, this position is often responsible for the overall morale within the working environment, so strong leadership and communication skills are also mandatory. A thorough knowledge of the various pieces of machinery within that type of industry is also a key component to receiving a formal interview for the position.What Does a Quality AssuranceManager Do?A quality assurance manager is responsible for supervising and managing the people who ensure that products and services meet customer expectations before the products go out on the market. He or she is generally ultimately responsible for the quality of the product in all stages of its development, from the factory to the market. Meeting customer expectations also plays a large role in this job. There are several responsibilities that a quality assurance manager has, although these might vary depending on the company for which he or she works. First, quality assurance managers must set the standards for quality. Inother words, the quality assurance manager decides what standards each product must meet. Second, he or she must ensure that the employees, as well as inspectors, understand the standards that have been set. In this regard, communication is very important.Another responsibility of a quality assurance manager is testing. In this stage, products are tested to make sure that they meet the standards that have been previously set. Finally, quality assurance managers often review customer feedback to see whether the standardsthat were set were acceptable to the customer and whether the products passed the quality inspections. They also are often responsible to make sure that certain laws are followed, depending on the products being manufactured. Quality assurance managers sometimes act as a go-between between the production development offices, where the standards are set, and the corporate offices of a company. They also might partake in strategic planning to find ways for the company to become more efficient in manufacturing quality products. They might use computer software to inspect quality or do physical inspections, or they might supervise those who do inspections.Often, quality assurance managers start their careers as entry-level quality inspectors or have some kind of experience in management. Two-year degree programs in quality management are offered for those interested in this type of career. Some companies require that managers have four-year degrees, and they often require a bachelor's degree in either business or engineering.In addition to possible education requirements, quality assurance managers might need licenses or special certifications, depending on the company. The most important aspect of the job is ensuring that the customer's expectations and requirements, as well as all safety requirements, are met. Attention to detail and administrative experience are also important aspects of quality assurance manager jobs, because managers supervise inspectors and test, inspect and adjust products to make sure that they meet the required standards.What Does a Quality AssuranceOfficer Do?A quality assurance officer is charged with creating, implementing, and managing a business's quality control processes. Typical quality assurance officer responsibilities include analyzing business needs and areas for improvement, developing new procedures that ensure higher quality products or methods of production, and defining budgetary needs and the proper distribution of resources. Quality assurance officer jobs are available in a diverse array of fields, from manufacturing and construction to public service organizations and food production facilities.One of the primary aspects of a quality assurance officer job description is the thorough review of company policies and procedures. The officer utilizes knowledge of various production techniques, company rules, and business standards to identify areas that can be improved upon. The goal of this function is to ensure an overall higher qualityof finished product, but it also aims to streamline production processes, better adhere to company rules and any applicable laws, and create more contented workers and customers.In attempts to improve the value of the business, a qualityassurance officer devises new plans to advance the effectiveness of production practices. This typically entails the implementation of more efficient systems designed by the officer. He or she oversees the execution of these new systems and may be called upon to providetraining to employees. The position is traditionally a supervisory one, and the quality assurance officer manages technicians and administrators within the quality control department.Drawing up budgets and appropriately allocating the necessary funds are important parts of any quality assurance officer's job. He or she identifies the need for and cost of any new equipment that may be required by a restructuring of quality control standards. The officer remains inclose communication with senior level employees and those in the finance department so as to better determine the financial scope of any necessary upgrades.To become a quality assurance officer, a candidate is typically required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in business, business administration, or management. Many employers look for applicants with a master's degree in one of these specialties. Quality assurance officers tend to have worked in a non-supervisory role within the business for alength of time, as either a technician or in another middle management position. Hiring for this role from within the company is important to many businesses since a candidate who has been with the organization has firsthand knowledge of the processes utilized in production.What Does a Quality AssuranceEngineer Do?Many manufacturing, engineering, software, and other development processes include steps for ensuring that products and services meet the needs and terms of the customer. A quality assurance engineer often performs steps to check a project at various stages of developmentin order to attest to the quality of what is being produced. In software engineering, a quality assurance engineer may be responsible for testing and debuggingsoftware code, while in hardware development, a quality assurance (QA) representative might be tasked with inspecting parts and assembly to ensure they meet government and client specifications. Most quality assurance engineers also review documentation and checklists developed for the project or program.While quality controls are in place at most stages of a product’s development and are within the roles of all team members on a project, a quality assurance engineer generally performs steps at the end of a benchmark or milestone of a program time-line. If a client requests a design development process with reviews at the preliminary stage and at each progressive phase, a QA engineer likely will be reviewing andsigning off as a last step in each phase. When an engineer finds a problem with quality at any of these stages, a product may be demotedfor improvements and moved through the cycle as many times as needed to meet expectations and requirements.Some companies have full-time devoted staff who provide quality assurance to a multitude of programs. Other firms may contract employees in order to complete one large-scale program or component of a program. Projects requiring official government overview, such as an aerospace upgrade of a military plane, for example, may utilize temporary on-site representatives who review and provide a QA stamp of approval based on federal guidelines as needed throughout a project term. Documentation often is a part of QA review a nd approval, as a product’s technical development and components often must be recorded as outlined in a contract.Generally a quality assurance engineer has a high level of experience in a discipline which enables understanding at many levels of a progra m’s development. However, sometimes a QA specialist can apply the same quality techniques from one discipline to another field. Having an understanding of the smallest components of a program with an ability to identify problems with the completed project as a whole is typically a talent of a QA engineer in any specialty.A unique skill of many QA professionals is the ability to test and even attempt to break a program or process in order to troubleshoot any potential problems before they become actual problems for end users.This can involve hours of software bugging and debugging, automotive and aeronautical road or flight testing, or hardware dynamics and temperaturetesting, depending on the field. Being able to identify issuesbefore they become issues for a customer often is a large part of what a quality assurance engineer does.What Does a Quality AssuranceAnalyst Do?The title of quality assurance analyst is most often used todescribe aprofessional who tests and tweaks program applications in a software development company. An analyst may also work in a manufacturing plant or service facility, overseeing production and suggesting ways to improve overall quality. In any setting, it is important for a quality assurance analyst to be highly detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills. He or she must be able to explain necessary changes to products and procedures and provide feedback to workers. Most quality insurance analysts are involved all phases of research, development, production, and distribution.A quality assurance analyst at a software firm tests programs to make sure they are reliable, fully functional, and user-friendly. He or she inspects thousands of lines of code to make sure they are entirely error-free. The analyst also looks for weaknesses in the program, such as an unappealing interface or a slow loading speed. A quality assuranceanalyst with the proper training may be able to make adjustments personally, but most professionals explain their findings to technicians instead so the correct tweaks can be made. Once a program is completed, the analyst reviews it once again before it is released to the public. Professionals who work in other industries typically share many of the same responsibilities. Instead of reviewing code, they may inspect engineering schematics and product prototypes. An analyst might help engineers identify shortcomings in current products and plan ways to improve new models. He or she also works alongside productionspecialists to make sure items are built according to specifications. Finally, analysts work with marketing experts to research customer satisfactionand consider feedback to determine if their products meet expectations. The qualifications to become a quality assurance analyst can vary. Most manufacturing plants and corporations prefer to hire analysts who havetaken at least some college coursework in business administrationanddemonstrated their skills in entry-level quality control or assurancetechnician jobs. A degree in programming, computer science, software engineering, or network administration may be needed order to workfora software development firm. Most new quality assurance analysts spendseveral weeks in training with experienced workers to learn about company-specific policies and procedures.An experienced quality assurance analyst usually has many opportunities for advancement in a large company. He or she may be able to become a supervisor over an entire quality control and assurance division. With continuing education, a professional can move into a top administrative or executive position.。
