What Is Quality Control (QC)?

Quality control (QC) is a process through which a business seeks to ensure that product
quality is maintained or improved. Quality control requires the company to create an
environment where management and employees strive for perfection. This is done by training
personnel, creating benchmarks for product quality, and testing products to check
for statistically significant variations.

A significant aspect of quality control is the establishment of well-defined controls. These

controls help standardize both production and reactions to quality issues. Limiting room for
error by specifying which production activities are to be completed by which personnel
reduces the chance that employees will be involved in tasks for which they do not have
adequate training.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Quality control (QC) is a process through which a business seeks to ensure that
product quality is maintained or improved.
• Quality control involves testing units and determining if they are within the
specifications for the final product.
• The quality control used in a business is highly dependent on the product or industry,
and several techniques exist for measuring quality.
• The food industry uses quality control methods to ensure customers do not get sick
from their products.
• Quality control creates safe measures that can be implemented to make sure deficient
or damaged products do not end up with customers.
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Quality Control

Understanding Quality Control (QC)

Quality control involves testing units and determining if they are within the specifications for
the final product. The purpose of the testing is to determine any needs for corrective actions
in the manufacturing process. Good quality control helps companies meet consumer demands
for better products.

Why Is QC Needed?

Creating a product is costly, time-consuming, and can be unsafe without controls in place.
Additionally, if a company sends defective products out for purchase, it could be held liable
for injuries or issues that arise from using its products. Quality control inspectors ensure that
defective or unsafe products are identified, and the causes are corrected.

How Is It Done?
Quality testing is generally completed in each step of a manufacturing or business process.
Employees often begin by testing raw materials, pulling samples from the manufacturing line,
and testing the finished product. Testing at the various stages of manufacturing helps identify
where a production problem is occurring and the remedial steps it requires to prevent it in the
future.

In a non-manufacturing business, quality testing can involve customer service evaluations,

questionnaires, surveys, inspections, or audits. A business can use any process or method to
verify that its end product or service meets the customer's needs and is safe and legal.

QC Is Different by Industry

The quality control used in a business is highly dependent on the product or industry. For
example, in food and drug manufacturing, quality control includes ensuring the product does
not make a consumer sick, so the company performs chemical and microbiological testing of
samples from the production line.

In aircraft manufacturing, quality control and assurance is of the utmost importance.

Manufacturers are required to document, track, and inspect, and reinspect all items and
phases of a build to build evidence that everything is completed to very strict standards.
In automobile manufacturing, quality control focuses on parts meeting specifications and
tolerances. QC ensures engines, drive trains, and other mechanical parts operate smoothly,
efficiently, safely, and as designed.

In electronics, quality testing might involve using meters that measure the flow of electricity
and stress testing.

Quality Control vs. Quality Assurance

Quality control and quality assurance are terms often used to define the same thing, but there
are distinct differences. Quality control focuses on quality requirements, such as ensuring a
part meets specifications. Quality assurance refers to the sum of all actions and processes
needed to demonstrate that quality requirements are fulfilled.1

What this difference means for quality professionals is that as you move through a quality
control career, you might transition from quality control to quality assurance. Quality control
is part of quality assurance, which are programs and departments that assure upper-level
management, customers, and government inspectors that products meet all quality
requirements and safety standards.

Types of Quality Control Methods

There are several methods quality control uses to communicate and track inspections and
issues. For instance, a quality control chart is a graphic that depicts whether sampled products
or processes are meeting their intended specifications—and, if not, the degree by which they
vary from those specifications.

When one chart analyzes a specific product attribute, it is called a univariate chart. A chart
that measures variances in several product attributes is called a multivariate chart. Tracking
variances allows businesses to see how many defects per production unit they produce and
what types of defects are occurring. Here are a few examples of some methods used.

X-Bar Chart

Randomly selected products are tested for the given attributes the chart is tracking. A
common form of a quality control chart is the X-Bar Chart, where the y-axis on the graph
tracks the degree to which the variance of the tested attribute is acceptable. The x-axis tracks
the samples tested. Analyzing the variance pattern on this chart helps you determine if defects
are occurring randomly or systematically.

Taguchi Method

The Taguchi Method of quality control is another approach that emphasizes the roles of
research and development, product design, and product development in reducing the
occurrence of defects and failures in products. The Taguchi Method considers design more
important than the manufacturing process in quality control and tries to eliminate variances in
production before they can occur.

100% Inspection Method

This 100% inspection method is a quality control process involving looking at and assessing
all product parts. This type of quality control is done to rule out flaws in products. This
method is often used to evaluate valuable metals and produce. The 100% inspection method
calls for data about the manufacturing process and software to analyze inventory.

The challenge of using this method is that looking at every single item used to build a product
is expensive and could destabilize or render the product unusable. For example, if you use
this method to examine organic strawberries, you risk damaging the berries, rendering them
unsellable.

Quality control methods help standardize production and reactions to quality issues in various
industries, from food production to automobile manufacturing.

Quality Control Careers

Quality control can be a rewarding career if you enjoy working with people, communicating,
presenting results, and working to make products better and safer. To become a quality
control inspector, you'll need (depending on the industry):2

• A high school diploma for entry-level positions

• A bachelor's degree, depending on the industry
• Experience in an industry
• Licenses and certifications for some industries and businesses

Other qualities that are necessary for quality control professionals are:2

• Attention to detail
 • Mechanical and math skills
• Physical abilities and strength
• Technical skills
• Performance under pressure

Career Path

The route to a career in quality control and assurance varies by industry, so there may be
differences. However, you'll generally need several years of experience in your industry.
Typically, you begin by being hired as a quality assurance or control associate after meeting
educational and work experience requirements.

Once you gain work experience as a quality specialist or associate, you may move into a
senior specialist position and begin managing teams of quality control specialists.3 You may
attend professional development courses sponsored by your employer or be required to gain
certifications such as Six Sigma. You might also need to earn a professional designation such
as Certified Quality Inspector.4

Moving up the career path, you have more options. You may be able to choose from or be
selected to be a:3

• QA Systems Manager
• QA Operations Manager
• QA Compliance Manager

These positions can lead up to upper-level management or executive levels within quality
control:3

• Director of Quality
• Head of Compliance
• Vice President of Quality

Quality Control Salaries

The average pay for quality control professionals differs by industry, experience, and
position. Pay increases as you gain more experience and move into management positions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports average salaries as:5

• Professional, scientific and technical services: $46,280

• Manufacturing: $40,020
• Wholesale trade: $37,800
• Administrative and support services: $30,070

What Does Quality Control Mean?

Quality control means how a company measures product quality and improves it if need be.
Quality control can be done in many ways, from testing products, reviewing manufacturing
processes, and creating benchmarks. This is all done to monitor significant variations in a
product.
What Are the 4 Types of Quality Control?
There are several methods of quality control. These include an x-bar chart, Six Sigma, 100%
inspection mode, and the Taguchi Method.

Why Is Quality Control Important?

Quality control ensures that defective goods do not go out to the public. Companies that have
quality control methods in place often have employees who pay close attention to their work.

In food and drug manufacturing, quality control prevents products that make customers sick,
and in manufacturing, quality control can ensure that accidents don't happen when people use
a product.

What Are 3 Examples of Quality Control?

Three examples of quality control could be in the food industry; overseeing the ingredient
specifications, reviewing supplier lists, and ensuring the facility where the food product is
made is sanitary.

The Bottom Line

Having quality control in place within a business helps ensure product quality and the overall
success of a business. The quality control environment influences employees' attitudes about
the workplace and creates a sense of ownership of the products and company.

Quality control can be done in various ways, from training personnel to creating data-driven
tools to test products and set standards. Quality control methods help create a safe work
environment and products that are safe to use and meet customers' needs. Additionally, it is a
rewarding career for someone that enjoys investigating issues and improving outcomes.

ARTICLE SOURCES
Related Terms
What Is a Quality Control Chart and Why Does It Matter?
A quality control chart is a graphic that depicts whether sampled products
or processes are meeting their intended specifications.
more
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): Definition and How It Works
An acceptable quality level (AQL) is a statistical measurement of the
maximum acceptable number of defective goods in a particular sample
size.
more
Taguchi Method of Quality Control: Definition, Example, and Uses
In engineering, the Taguchi method of quality control focuses on design
and development to create efficient, reliable products.
more
Production Rate: Definition and Calculation Formula Example
Production rate is the pace at which units of a product are manufactured
within a scheduled time frame. Production rate can also refer to the
amount of time it takes to produce one unit of a good.
more
ISO 9000 Standard: Benefits, How to Achieve
ISO 9000 is a set of standards for quality management systems,
established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
more
Six Sigma: Methodology and Belt Rankings
Six Sigma, a quality-control program developed in 1986 at Motorola to
improve efficiency, has become a standard methodology with certificate
programs available to professionals.
more
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Quality control and quality assurance

Producing faulty goods incurs repair costs and damages the reputation of the firm. There are
two main approaches to achieving quality:

• quality control
• quality assurance

Quality control
This is where finished products are checked by inspectors to see if they meet the set standard.
Products are inspected at the start and the end of the production process. Any product not
meeting the standards of quality set by the business will be:

• sent for rework

• discarded completely
This is a costly process. There is a high degree of wasted material, as faulty products are not
identified until the end of the production process.

However, less checks are required throughout the production process. This will save the
business time and money.

Quality control ensures that no faulty product reaches the consumer as all finished products
are checked thoroughly.

Benefit Cost

Reduces chance of poor quality products reaching end Faults only found at the end of
users production
 Benefit Cost

Only some employees need to be trained as inspectors to

High wastage costs
look for faults

Reworking faulty products costs time

and money

Quality assurance
This is where quality is built into the production process.

For example, all staff check all items at all stages of the production process for faults. In this
way everyone takes responsibility for delivering quality.

Successful quality assurance:

• results in zero defect production

• aims to prevent the faulty product from being produced
With quality assurance the product is checked throughout production. This means that
mistakes can be identified quickly. This will reduce waste. This in turn will save the company
money.

However, this method of quality control can be costly due to the regular checks being made
throughout the production process. Regular checks can also slow down production. This
means lower productivity.

Example comparison of quality assurance and quality

control
Quality control will check the inputs and outputs from the production process
whereas quality assurance will check the product regularly throughout production.

Quality assurance reduces waste as faulty products are identified early in the production
process whereas quality control will save the company time and money as less checks are
required during the production process.

1. Quality circles
2. Quality circles are small groups of workers of different levels in the firm who come
together to discuss and solve problems in production.
3. Managers, assembly line workers and engineers mix together and everyone’s opinion
is valued and respected. Membership of quality circles is voluntary.
4. Employees involved in quality circles may become more motivated as they feel
valued within the company. Employees who are doing the job often have a better idea
on how to improve processes.
nchmarking
Benchmarking is another method of quality management.

Benchmarking involves finding the best practice in your industry and then copying your
competitor but adding some extra value or USP to the product.

Benchmarking is common in the electronics industry where many market leaders have to face
severe competition from imitators.

The major flaw with benchmarking is that it can take time. By the time you have a product
superior to the market leader, a new market leader can have emerged from another firm's
research and development programme.

Benefit Cost

Identifies best practice in the market which will

May be difficult to gather required
improve performance if these methods are adopted
information from competitors
by the organisation

Can provide a goal for employees which will It can be time consuming to study
increase motivation techniques used by other companies

Internal factors such as lack of finance may

Can make the organisation more competitive in the
prevent the adoption of competitors
market
practices

The company/product will only be as good

as the benchmark set

Quality management/continual
improvement
Quality management is the continual improvement of process and system.

It aims to have zero defects reaching the customer. Quality management involves everyone in
the business working towards the goal of 100% customer satisfaction.

(Total) quality management believes in getting it right first time and having zero defects.

If this goal is reached then the company’s products will be respected and valued as high
quality and reliable. This in turn will mean customers will purchase from us rather than our
competitors.
Everyone in the company is responsible for quality. Every stage of the assembly line or
production process must involve the recipient of the unfinished product challenging and
inspecting what has been created.

This has led to the concept of a quality chain whereby everyone in the organisation is treated
like a customer.

Companies should always be looking for continuous improvement which means the
organisation can stay ahead of the competition.

Quality management relies on:

• quality inputs
• highly trained staff
• zero error tolerance
• a strong focus on the customer

1.

5.