Quality Assurance Myths vs Facts: Level 3 QA/QC Activity

Principles of Quality Assurance

Purpose:

To help learners identify and correct common misconceptions about QA, understand correct principles, and apply them in UK civil engineering and industrial contexts.

SECTION 1 — Myths and Facts Table

Myth	Fact	Explanation / UK Context
QA is only about inspecting the final product.	QA focuses on preventing defects through robust processes.	QA involves process design, monitoring, and adherence to standards such as ISO 9001:2015 and BS EN 206. Final inspections are part of QC, not QA.
Quality issues are only the responsibility of QA staff.	QA is a shared responsibility across all project roles.	In UK projects, CDM Regulations 2015 and ISO standards require all team members to follow QA processes. Engineers, contractors, and workers must comply with procedures.
Compliance with UK standards is optional if the client agrees.	UK laws and standards are mandatory, regardless of client preference.	Ignoring HSWA 1974, BS EN standards, or ISO 9001 can result in legal action, project delays, and safety risks.
QA slows down project progress.	Proper QA enhances efficiency and reduces rework, saving time in the long term.	Systematic QA prevents delays from defective materials or noncompliance, aligning with UK civil engineering best practices.
Ethical reporting of defects can be ignored if the project is behind schedule.	QA professionals must report defects honestly to maintain safety and compliance.	RICS Code of Conduct and HSWA 1974 require QA staff to report non-compliances even if it delays work.
Continuous improvement is optional.	Continuous improvement is essential for longterm quality and efficiency.	Implementing the PDCA cycle or feedback from audits ensures compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and improves customer satisfaction.
QA and QC are the same.	QA focuses on processes, while QC focuses on products.	UK standards distinguish QA (e.g., process monitoring, preventive actions) from QC (e.g., testing concrete cubes to BS EN 206).
Risk assessment is only needed for safety, not quality.	Risk assessments are critical for both safety and quality assurance.	CDM Regulations 2015 require risk assessments to prevent defects and ensure reliable outcomes in civil engineering projects.

SECTION 2 — Learner Task

Instructions:

Review the myths and facts table.
Select three myths and for each:
- Explain why it is a misconception.
- Provide a real-world UK workplace example showing the correct practice.
- Identify UK laws or standards that enforce the fact.
Create a visual “Myth vs Fact” chart linking each myth to its corresponding fact.
Reflect in 100–150 words on how understanding these myths improves QA practices in civil engineering projects in the UK.