In planning, execution, and evaluation, QA/QC should be ...

• A. Limited to planning
• B. Abbreviated
• C. Primarily ignored
• D. Implemented throughout all phases

Answer: (D)

Quality assurance and quality control should be implemented throughout all phases of planning, execution, and evaluation. In planning, QA/QC establishes the standards, protocols, acceptance criteria, and documentation practices that guide every activity. In execution, it translates into calibration of instruments, use of field blanks and duplicates, adherence to procedures, and ongoing data checks to catch problems early. In evaluation, QA/QC verifies data integrity, assesses whether results meet quality criteria, records deviations, and drives corrective actions before reporting. This continuous application ensures data are reliable and comparable across the project, rather than being trustworthy only at the start or neglected during later stages.