Quality control is the formal process during which a product is tested to see if it meets specific expectations. There are many aspects of quality control in technology. These include hardware and software validation, as well as a formal verification process. This testing is typically done manually by people who ensure the computer and programs are functioning as expected.
Testing is the one opportunity for a company to verify the technology works before it is used by the customer. Quality control procedures are typically completed after all other testing has finished. This is an independent verification process that validates the product is ready for distribution.
Most quality control starts with test scripts that are designed to validate a specific part of a computer. Each test has expected results for usability, reliability, and longevity. These tests are executed by qualified test engineers, who document any defects found in the system.
A reliability test is an example of quality control in technology test. Reliability testing requires a computer to run for a specific duration without failure. This quality control process is a dry run for computer hardware. It is most often completed on computers before they are shipped to customers for use.
Quality control in technology also includes packaging and delivery testing. This is the process that ensures the correct hardware components are packed and shipped to the customer in a specific predefined form. Package and presentation testing ensures a consistent look and feel of a product.
Apple computers are an excellent example of quality control in technology testing today. All Apple products are packaged and shipped in a specific box, with specific hardware devices and instructions. A quality control engineer verifies the correct instructions and hardware components are shipped with the corresponding computer equipment. All Apple computers are shipped in the same manner with the same packaging to ensure quality control.
Longevity testing is another example of quality control in technology testing. This type of testing requires a device to go through a repetitive test. An example of this type of testing could be the opening and closing a compact disc drawer on a computer. The quality control specialist would verify the compact disc door operates without failure for a specific duration.
Most software applications also require a form of quality control testing. This is typically completed by special test engineers who understand how the application should function. This is validated against customer expectations to ensure the system will be accepted by the consumers.