QA in an R and D Environment

Abstract

Over the past few years, AECL Research has been developing an effective Quality Program that assures the quality of all activities conducted in pursuing the company's mission. One of the more challenging areas for developing an effective quality program and the associated QA (Quality Assurance) is in an R&D (Research and Development) environment. This paper discusses the reconciliation of QA (which is about control) and R&D (which is about innovation). The effective application of QA to R and D is described, including the progress that has been made at AECL Research.