what is qa in 100 words

Quality Assurance (QA) is a systematic process that ensures products or services meet defined quality standards before they reach the consumer. It involves a series of planned activities, including the development of quality policies, process monitoring, and regular assessments to identify defects or areas for improvement. In software development, QA encompasses various testing methods such as unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing to verify functionality and performance. Effective QA practices help reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve overall efficiency by preventing issues early in the development process, ultimately leading to higher quality outcomes.