Which processes are used to ensure product quality through consistent manufacturing methods?

Quality Assurance (QA) is a systematic process used to ensure that products meet specified requirements and standards throughout their manufactured lifecycle. It focuses on the processes and procedures involved in manufacturing, aiming to prevent defects and ensure quality is built into the product from the outset. By establishing and maintaining a quality management system, QA involves everything from design through production to delivery, ensuring that manufacturing methods are consistent and effective in achieving the desired product quality.

QA typically includes activities such as developing quality policies, conducting audits, and training personnel in quality standards. This proactive approach differs from Quality Control (QC), which is primarily focused on identifying defects in finished products and ensuring they meet quality specifications. As such, QA is essential for organizations aiming to achieve long-term consistency and reliability in their manufacturing processes, making it a foundational element in the pursuit of quality in products.

Other options like Inventory Management and Process Improvement, while important, do not directly address the establishment and maintenance of consistent manufacturing methods specifically aimed at assuring product quality. Inventory Management deals with the control of stock levels, and Process Improvement focuses on enhancing existing methods but does not inherently ensure the consistent application of those methods to achieve quality outcomes.