---
title: "QA and QC for a successful project"
subject: "ICT Project Management"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:qa-qc-successful-project"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/qa-qc-successful-project
site: BCT Engineering
---

# QA and QC for a successful project

ICT Project Management · Chapter 10: Project quality management

- Asked in: year not given
- Video: [Project Quality Management Overview | PMBOK Video Course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7YJ-_OJIZQ) — David McLachlan
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/qa-qc-successful-project
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-10

## Question

How quality assurance and quality control are implemented in order to deliver a successful project?

## Short answer

QA audits processes (reviews, standards) to prevent defects; QC inspects products (testing, inspections) to detect defects. They are implemented together: plan quality, perform QA audits for process improvement, and execute QC testing to verify deliverables, feeding back to improve quality.

## Answer

**Quality assurance (QA)** is the process-oriented activity of auditing quality requirements and the results of quality control measures, to ensure appropriate standards and operational definitions are used. **Quality control (QC)** is the product-oriented activity of monitoring and recording results of executing the quality activities to assess performance and recommend changes. Together they make sure the project delivers a product that meets requirements.

#### Implementation across the project
```text
Plan Quality -> Perform QA -> Control Quality
(standards)     (process)     (product tests)
        <-- feedback and improvement -->
```

1. **Plan quality**
   - Identify quality requirements and standards (ISO 9001, CMMI, IEEE).
   - Prepare the quality management plan, metrics and checklists.
2. **Quality assurance (during execution)**
   - Audits of processes, reviews and walkthroughs.
   - Process analysis and continuous improvement (PDCA).
   - Training and use of defined standards.
   - Ensures that we are "doing the right things in the right way".
3. **Quality control (monitoring)**
   - Inspections, testing (unit, integration, system, UAT).
   - Statistical tools: control charts, Pareto, histogram, cause-and-effect diagram.
   - Defect tracking and corrective action.
   - Verified deliverables go to customer acceptance.

| Basis | QA | QC |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Process | Product |
| Aim | Prevent defects | Detect defects |
| Timing | Throughout | At milestones/end of activities |
| Example | Code review process audit | Testing the software |

#### Contribution to a successful project
- Fewer defects and rework, lower cost of quality.
- Meets customer requirements and acceptance criteria.
- Reduces risk and schedule delays.
- Gives confidence to stakeholders and builds reputation.

**Example:** For a banking app, QA ensures coding standards and reviews are followed; QC runs functional tests and security tests before release; defects found feed back to improve the process.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the main difference in focus between QA and QC?
   A. QA is process-oriented; QC is product-oriented
   B. QA is product-oriented; QC is process-oriented
   C. Both focus only on the final product
   D. QA detects defects; QC prevents them
   Answer: A. QA audits and improves processes to prevent defects; QC inspects and tests the product to detect them. (Key point: QA vs QC focus)

2. Which activity belongs to quality control?
   A. Auditing the development process
   B. Preparing the quality policy
   C. Testing the software and tracking defects
   D. Training staff in standards
   Answer: C. QC inspects and tests deliverables; audits and training are QA activities. (Key point: QC activities)

3. Why do defects found by QC feed back to the process?
   A. To assign blame to testers
   B. To improve the process so the defects are prevented in future
   C. To skip the QA stage
   D. To lower the number of tests
   Answer: B. Defects found by QC are used to improve the process, linking QC back to QA. (Key point: Feedback loop)

4. When does QC typically occur compared with QA?
   A. QC throughout; QA only at the end
   B. Both only at project closing
   C. QC before planning; QA after delivery
   D. QC at milestones or end of activities; QA throughout
   Answer: D. QA is continuous through the project, while QC checks products at milestones/end of activities. (Key point: Timing)

## Related in ICT Project Management

- [Quality assurance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aquality-assurance) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Quality control process](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aquality-control-process) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Testing IT systems in quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Atesting-it-systems) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Test life cycle in quality control](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Atest-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Steps to improve IT project quality](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aimprove-it-project-quality) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10
- [Project quality](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-quality) — ICT Project Management, chapter 10

## Related in other subjects

- [QA vs QC; types of cost of quality](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aqa-vs-qc-cost-of-quality) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Quality; QA vs QC; factors in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-qa-qc-nepal-factors) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Quality; QA vs QC; site engineer steps](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aquality-qa-qc-site-engineer-steps) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Differentiate quality control and assurance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aqa-vs-qc-differentiate) — Project Engineering, chapter 4