What is meant by 'quality assurance'?

Quality assurance refers specifically to the systematic activities implemented within a quality system that can be demonstrated to provide confidence that a product or service will fulfill quality requirements. This approach encompasses the entire production process and aims to prevent defects by focusing on the processes that lead to the final product, rather than solely inspecting the end outputs.

By emphasizing systematic activities, quality assurance integrates planning, development, evaluation, and monitoring in such a way that it aligns with organizational goals for quality. This includes developing policies and procedures, training personnel, conducting process audits, and evaluating compliance with standards.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately capture the essence of quality assurance. Affordability relates to cost management and pricing strategies rather than quality control. Customer service protocols are concerned with how customer interactions are managed, which is a separate aspect of quality involving customer satisfaction and support rather than systematic quality activities. Financial audits pertain to the evaluation of financial practices and controls, which does not directly relate to ensuring that product quality meets the set requirements.

Thus, the focus on systematic activities ensuring quality requirements are met is the key definition of quality assurance.