> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://isubasinghe.gitbook.io/isithas-wiki/software_engineering/quality_management/quality-management.md).

# Quality management

## Basic idea

Quality is not bolted on — it must be designed in from the start. Quality management = QA (define standards) + QP (apply to project) + QC (audit conformance).

## Key facts

* External quality (user-facing): correctness, reliability, usability.
* Internal quality (developer-facing): cleanliness, performance, maintainability.
* Empirically, QA pays for itself — defect cost grows by \~10× per phase you let it slip.