Cambridge IGCSE Business (0264) syllabus reference: 4.5.1
Success criteria - by the end of this topic you can:
- explain what quality means and why it matters
- compare quality control and quality assurance and recommend one
Key terms
Quality - a product or service that meets customer expectations.
Quality control - checking products at the end of production to find faults.
Quality assurance - setting standards at every stage of production and checking they are met, to prevent faults.
Why quality matters: builds brand image and loyalty, allows higher prices, reduces costs of waste and returns, avoids bad reviews and legal problems.
Quality control
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|
| Faulty products found before reaching customers | Waste already made; costly to scrap or rework |
| Little training of workers needed | Inspectors cost money; not every item can be checked |
Quality assurance