WHAT IS A QUALITY-ASSURANCE SYSTEM?

An overall approach to quality assurance that is practical and realistic is outlined. This approach takes into consideration and gives weight to the various factors that constitute quality. This overall or system approach has two main subsystems, namely, the technical or engineering subsystem and the nontechnical or social subsystem. The approach recognizes that for the technical subsystem the level of quality is set by the designer and is expressed in plans and specifications. Plans on the whole have served their purpose adequately; however, specifications have given rise to many problems in the execution of the work. The interactions among the various facets of the system that continually take place are discussed. A formalized basis for feedback is suggested so the experience gained can be used in future work. /Author/