Difference Between QA & QC: What’s the Real Difference?
The essential guide for software quality professionals.
The essential guide for software quality professionals.
Have you ever wondered why companies use the terms QA and QC as if they mean the same thing? Are they really similar, or do they play completely different roles in software quality?
This guide breaks it down in the simplest, clearest, and most practical way.
What Is QA (Quality Assurance)?
QA is a process-focused, preventive approach.
Its goal is to improve how the work is done so that defects never appear in the first place.
Key Points of QA
- Ensures the process is correct
- Prevents defects (Proactive)
- Works before product development and during the entire lifecycle
- Focuses on planning, standards, and guidelines
Examples of QA Activities
- Creating test strategy and test plan
- Defining processes and standards
- Conducting process audits
- Training the team on quality practices
What Is QC (Quality Control)?
QC is a product-focused, corrective approach.
Its goal is to find defects after the software is developed.
Key Points of QC
- Ensures the product meets the requirements
- Detects defects (Reactive)
- Works after development
- Focuses on execution, validation, and bug reporting
Examples of QC Activities
- Functional testing
- Regression testing
- Bug reporting
- Test execution and result verification
Visualization of the difference between the Process focus (QA) and the Product focus (QC).
QA vs QC: Key Differences
| Aspect | QA (Quality Assurance) | QC (Quality Control) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Process | Product |
| Approach | Preventive | Corrective |
| Objective | Ensure the process reduces defects | Identify defects in the final product |
| Timing | Throughout the SDLC | After development |
| Responsibility | Entire team + QA team | Testing/QC team |
| Outcome | Improved processes | Quality product delivered |
Why Both QA and QC Are Important
You cannot deliver high-quality software by using only one of them:
- QA makes the process strong.
- QC makes the product reliable.
Together, they ensure your software is stable, defect-free, and aligned with customer expectations.
When Do QA and QC Work Together?
- During sprint cycles (e.g., test planning and execution)
- While reviewing user stories (e.g., defining acceptance criteria)
- In test planning and execution
- During release readiness checks
A healthy testing ecosystem always integrates both.
Final Thoughts
QA and QC may sound similar, but their roles are completely different and equally important. QA focuses on building strong processes, while QC focuses on delivering a bug-free product.
When combined, they create a complete quality ecosystem that improves efficiency, reduces costs, and delivers better customer satisfaction.