Quality Assurance (QA)
A systematic approach to preventing defects through process improvement and standards.
Full definition
Quality Assurance (QA) is a proactive, process-oriented approach focused on preventing defects rather than finding them after the fact. While testing evaluates the product itself, QA evaluates and improves the processes used to create the product.
QA encompasses activities like defining coding standards, establishing review processes, setting up CI/CD pipelines, creating test strategies, and implementing best practices across the development lifecycle.
In practice, QA engineers often do both — they test software and improve the processes that produce it. The role has evolved from 'just finding bugs' to being a quality advocate embedded in development teams.
Interview tip
Know the difference: QA = prevention (process), QC = detection (product), Testing = execution (activity).