Say it like this
- We need to get this through QA first.
- QA found a critical bug in the payment flow.
- This feature has already passed QA.
Use it at work
Handing over
- The feature is ready for QA.
- I've moved the ticket to QA.
Reporting
- QA found three bugs in the checkout flow.
- QA signed off, so we can release.
Planning
- How long does QA need for this release?
- Let's involve QA earlier in the sprint.
Don't say this
QA as a verb is very informal and casual; in formal contexts, use 'perform QA' or reference the QA team explicitly.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| QA | Checking quality and finding bugs | QA engineers, testers | Throughout development |
| UAT | Real users confirm it meets needs | End users | Before go-live |
| testing | Any checks of software | Everyone | All the time |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. A critical bug is found just before launch. How would a tech professional say it?
2. The feature is currently in _______ and should be ready to ship by Friday.
3. Which sentence uses QA incorrectly or unnaturally?
4. Rewrite in natural tech English using QA: 'Before we release the app, we need people to check if it works properly and find any mistakes.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We need to get this through QA first."
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More about QA
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We finished the login feature yesterday, and it's currently in QA for testing."
- in a code review
"Make sure you QA the error handling paths before submitting this for review."
- in a team meeting
"The QA team reported three issues with the checkout process that we need to fix."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. QA is often used as a verb (to QA something) in tech, but formally it is a noun referring to the process. Do not confuse with the QA team member role—QA can refer to both the process and the department.
- ✕The bug escaped QA and reached production.✓The bug slipped through QA and reached production.
'Escape' is less common in this context; 'slip through' or 'pass through' are more natural collocations.
- ✕QA is only for testing.✓QA involves testing, verification, and process quality checks.
QA is broader than just testing; it includes verification, process improvement, and quality standards.
Other forms(3)
- QA noun
"The QA process caught the bug before release."
- QA team noun
"The QA team will begin testing next week."
- QA (informal) verb
"We need to QA this feature thoroughly before launch."
Often used with(5)
- QA team · The group of people responsible for quality assurance testing
- QA process · The systematic steps and methods used for testing and verification
- pass QA · When a product or feature successfully passes all quality assurance tests
- QA testing · The act of running tests as part of the QA process
- in QA · A product or feature currently undergoing quality assurance
Similar words(3)
- quality assurance · The full term; QA is the abbreviation
- testing · Broader term; QA is more specific to systematic quality verification
- verification · Overlaps with QA but can be narrower; QA includes verification and more
Opposites(2)
- production release
- live environment
Questions(6)
- What is the full form of QA?
- QA stands for Quality Assurance. Quality Assurance (QA) is the process of testing and verifying that software, features, or products work correctly before release.
- What does QA mean in software engineering?
- QA stands for Quality Assurance. It is the process of systematically testing software, features, and products to find bugs, verify functionality, and ensure the product meets quality standards before release to users.
- Is QA a team or a process?
- QA is both. It refers to a systematic process of testing and verification, and also to the team or department that performs this work. For example, you might say 'The QA team found a bug' or 'The code is in QA for testing.'
- How do you use QA as a verb at work?
- In casual tech communication, people often say 'we need to QA this' or 'let us QA the feature,' meaning to test it thoroughly. However, this is informal; formally, use 'perform QA on' or 'the QA team tests.'
- What is the difference between QA and testing?
- Testing is the activity of running tests to find bugs. QA is broader and includes testing, process verification, and ensuring overall quality standards. All QA involves testing, but not all testing is part of QA.
- When in the development cycle does QA happen?
- QA typically happens after development is complete or nearly complete, before the product is released to production. It is the phase between development and live release.
