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Lesson 12 of 12
  • Year 11

Quality Control methods

I can identify and explain different Quality Control methods to check that a product meets its specifications.

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View unit
Lesson 12 of 12
New
New
  • Year 11

Quality Control methods

I can identify and explain different Quality Control methods to check that a product meets its specifications.

Download all
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Quality Control is about checking products against standards.
  2. There are a range of Quality Control methods that go beyond visual inspections.
  3. Depending on the product, some Quality Control methods are more appropriate than others.

Keywords

  • Quality Control (QC) - checks made on a product before, during and after its production, so it meets quality and safety standards

  • Technical specification - a detailed description of a product’s requirements and features

  • Tolerance - the acceptable range of variation in a product's measurements

  • Standardised component - a part that’s made the same way every time so it can be used in a range of products

Common misconception

Quality control is only about looking at the product at the very end of production.

Quality Control can happen throughout production (in-process checks, sampling, functional tests), not just at the end.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Quality Control methods, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Bring in real products (e.g. food packets, pens, rulers, packaging) and let students inspect, measure, and check them. This grounds the abstract idea of “QC” in tangible, relatable examples. If using food packets, check for allergies.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - may contain allergens

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes the ability to make the same product to the same standard again and again?

efficiency
accuracy
Correct answer: repeatability
consistency

Q2.
What does 'industrial' typically refer to in manufacturing?

small, handcrafted products made by a single person
Correct answer: large-scale production using machinery and technology
purely artistic or sculptural items
activities done at home by a hobbyist

Q3.
What does 'standardised' mean in manufacturing?

each product is unique and custom-made
Correct answer: products are made to the same specifications every time
production happens only once for a prototype
machines are never used in the process

Q4.
Materials are chosen based on their physical and working...

Correct Answer: properties, property

Q5.
What does 'structural integrity' refer to in materials and structures?

Correct answer: it can maintain its shape under normal conditions without breaking
the aesthetic appearance of a structure
it can resist environmental changes like temperature and moisture
the cost-effectiveness of building a structure

Q6.
What is one main benefit of using standard stock forms in manufacturing?

they are always made from recycled materials
they are customised for each product
Correct answer: they're easier to transport, store, and use in different manufacturing processes
they don't require specialised tools to work with

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes quality control?

preventing mistakes during production
Correct answer: checking products to ensure they meet specifications
designing jigs and templates for accuracy
training staff to avoid errors

Q2.
Quality control helps ensure products are safe, reliable, and meet the technical...

Correct Answer: specification, specifications

Q3.
Match the QC term to its definition.

Correct Answer:defect,a fault or flaw in a product

a fault or flaw in a product

Correct Answer:tolerance,the acceptable range of variation in a measurement

the acceptable range of variation in a measurement

Correct Answer:batch,a group of products made at the same time

a group of products made at the same time

Q4.
Which of these is an example of destructive testing?

weighing a packet of crisps
using a GO/NO-GO gauge
checking colour against a specification chart
Correct answer: snapping a beam to check its strength

Q5.
When manufacturing parts, small variations in size are allowed so that components still fit and function correctly. This allowed variation is called a...

Correct Answer: tolerance

Q6.
Which of the following best describes a standardised component?

a part designed uniquely for a single product
Correct answer: a pre-made part with consistent size used across different pr
a component that must be inspected visually before every use