I need to get something straight: QA and QC are different.
Why must I point this out? Because programmers don't seem to get it and use these terms interchangeably.
QA is QualityAssurance
but
QC is QualityControl
The difference is that QA is process oriented and QC is product oriented.
Testing, therefore is product oriented and thus is in the QC domain. Testing for quality isn't assuring quality, it's controlling it.
Quality Assurance makes sure you are doing the right things, the right way.
Quality Control makes sure the results of what you've done are what you expected.
Why all the fuss?
There are lots of reasons to ensure the distinction between the two. Easily, the ones that come to mind are:
You'll need to know the difference for CMM or ISO-9000
You don't want to prove you don't do QA by calling the QC testing you do 'QA'
If you really want to scale your development process you'll need the real QA and you won't want to confuse it with QC.
Read more >>>
Why must I point this out? Because programmers don't seem to get it and use these terms interchangeably.
QA is QualityAssurance
but
QC is QualityControl
The difference is that QA is process oriented and QC is product oriented.
Testing, therefore is product oriented and thus is in the QC domain. Testing for quality isn't assuring quality, it's controlling it.
Quality Assurance makes sure you are doing the right things, the right way.
Quality Control makes sure the results of what you've done are what you expected.
Why all the fuss?
There are lots of reasons to ensure the distinction between the two. Easily, the ones that come to mind are:
You'll need to know the difference for CMM or ISO-9000
You don't want to prove you don't do QA by calling the QC testing you do 'QA'
If you really want to scale your development process you'll need the real QA and you won't want to confuse it with QC.
Read more >>>
