Water Quality & Management Flashcards

What is the PDCA cycle in CH quality management?

Answer: Plan-Do-Check-Act: an iterative continuous improvement method

PDCA is a continuous improvement cycle: Plan a change, Do implement it, Check the results, Act on findings — then repeat.

What is root cause analysis in CH quality assurance?

Answer: Investigating to find the fundamental underlying cause of a problem

Root cause analysis digs beyond symptoms to find the fundamental cause, enabling corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

What does benchmarking mean in CH quality improvement?

Answer: Comparing performance against recognized standards of excellence

Benchmarking compares processes and outcomes against best practices, identifying gaps and improvement opportunities.

What is a quality audit in CH practice?

Answer: Evaluating whether quality standards and procedures are followed

Quality audits examine whether established standards and procedures are implemented effectively, identifying non-conformances.

What is a KPI in CH quality management?

Answer: A measurable value showing how effectively objectives are achieved

KPIs are quantifiable measurements tied to objectives, providing actionable data about performance.

What differentiates quality assurance from quality control in CH?

Answer: QA prevents defects through processes; QC detects defects in outputs

QA is proactive and process-oriented (preventing defects). QC is reactive and product-oriented (detecting defects).