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Quality Control (QC)

1. Definition

Quality Control (QC) is a product-oriented activity focused on identifying defects in the actual software by evaluating and testing it against specified requirements.

QC answers the question: “Does the product meet the required quality standards?”

2. Purpose of Quality Control

  • Detect defects in the product
  • Verify implemented functionality
  • Ensure the software behaves as expected
  • Prevent defective releases
  • Provide factual quality status to stakeholders

3. QC vs QA (Clear Distinction)

Aspect Quality Assurance (QA) Quality Control (QC)
Focus Process Product
Nature Preventive Detective
Goal Prevent defects Find defects
When Throughout SDLC After development
Example Process audits Manual testing

4. QC Activities in Manual Testing

  • Reviewing requirements and test cases
  • Executing manual test cases
  • Performing functional and non-functional testing
  • Logging defects with proper details
  • Re-testing fixed defects
  • Regression testing
  • Validating requirements

5. QC Techniques (Manual)

  • Test case execution
  • Exploratory testing
  • Ad-hoc testing
  • User acceptance support
  • Reviews and walkthroughs

6. QC Deliverables

  • Executed test cases
  • Defect reports
  • Test execution status
  • Test summary report
  • Release recommendation

7. QC in Real-Time Projects

In real projects, QC ensures:

  • Each build is testable
  • Critical flows work correctly
  • Defects are caught before production
  • Business risks are minimized

8. QC Role in Agile

  • Continuous testing within sprints
  • Validation of user stories
  • Support acceptance testing
  • Provide sprint quality feedback

9. Common Misconceptions About QC

  • QC is not the same as QA
  • QC is not limited to final testing
  • QC is not only defect reporting

10. Interview-Ready Answers

Short answer:

Quality Control is the process of identifying defects in a software product by testing and evaluating it against requirements.

Detailed answer:

QC is a product-focused activity that involves executing tests, identifying defects, validating functionality, and ensuring the software meets defined quality standards before release.

11. QC vs Testing

  • Testing is one of the main activities within QC
  • QC includes testing plus validation, reporting, and quality assessment

12. Key Takeaway

Quality Control ensures defects are detected and controlled before the product reaches users.