Which of the following defines Quality Control (QC)?

Quality Control (QC) is fundamentally about the processes and procedures put in place to ensure that products meet specified quality criteria before they reach the customer. This concept encompasses the systematic activities and assessments that help in measuring and maintaining quality standards, ensuring that every product or service falls within the acceptable thresholds for quality set by the organization.

By focusing on adherence to predefined quality criteria, QC helps in minimizing defects, reducing waste, and improving overall product reliability. It embodies proactive steps taken during the production process to monitor quality and implement corrective actions when deviations from quality standards occur. This methodical approach emphasizes the importance of consistency and reliability in delivering products that meet or exceed customer expectations.

The other options pertain to different aspects of operational processes or employee management, rather than the specific practices involved in quality control. Random sampling is a technique that may be used within QC processes but does not define the concept itself. Employee evaluation and production rate strategies also do not directly address quality assurance methods. Thus, the proactive measures taken to ensure products meet quality benchmarks precisely encapsulate the essence of Quality Control.