Key Quality Assurance Definitions Every QA/QC Should Know
Principles of Quality Assurance
Purpose:
To help learners compile key QA terminology, understand definitions, and relate them to practical UK workplace examples.
SECTION 1 — Key Quality Assurance Terms
| Term | Definition / Explanation | UK Workplace Example | Relevant UK Law / Standard |
| Quality Assurance (QA) | Systematic processes toensure products/services meet specified standards. | Inspecting concrete mix for highway construction before pouring. | BS EN 206, ISO 9001:2015 |
| Quality Control (QC) | Process of inspecting finished products to detect defects. | Testing welded steel beams for compliance before installation. | BS EN ISO 3834 |
| NonConformance (NC) | Deviation from specified quality standards. | Delivery of steel reinforcement with incorrect dimensions. | ISO 9001:2015, HSWA 1974 |
| Corrective Action | Steps taken to eliminate the cause of a nonconformance. | Reworking concrete mix failing strength tests. | ISO 9001:2015 |
| Preventive Action | Measures implemented to prevent potential nonconformance. | Implementing standardized inspection for incoming materials. | ISO 9001:2015, CDM 2015 |
| Audit | Systematic review of processes to verify compliance with QA standards. | Internal audit of QA documentation on a construction project. | ISO 19011:2018, ISO 9001:2015 |
| PDCA Cycle | Plan-Do-Check-Act; framework for continuous improvement. | Revising QA checklist after identifying recurring welding errors. | ISO 9001:2015 |
| Traceability | Ability to track products/materials through all stages of production. | Maintaining delivery notes and material certificates for steel reinforcement. | BS 1192, ISO 9001:2015 |
| Ethical Practice | Maintaining honesty, integrity, and professional conduct in QA activities. | Reporting noncompliance in concrete strength tests despite pressure to ignore it. | RICS Code of Conduct, HSWA 1974 |
| Customer Satisfaction | Ensuring products/services meet client expectations. | Ensuring asphalt thickness meets TfL standards for UK roads. | ISO 9001:2015, BS EN 13108 |
| Risk Assessment | Identifying potential quality failures and implementing mitigation measures. | Assessing risk of concrete curing failure in cold weather and applying protective blankets. | CDM Regulations 2015 |
| Continuous Improvement (CI) | Ongoing enhancement of processes and efficiency to reduce defects. | Implementing feedback from QA audits to improve material inspection procedures. | ISO 9001:2015 |
SECTION 2 — Learner Task
Instructions:
- Review the glossary above.
- Add 5–10 additional QA terms that are relevant to civil engineering or industrial QA contexts. For each, provide:
- Definition/explanation.
- UK workplace example demonstrating its application.
- Relevant UK law or standard.
- Prepare a visual mind map linking all terms to their practical applications on a UK construction site.
- Write a short reflection on how understanding these terms improves compliance, efficiency, and safety in QA processes.