Glossary & Reference

An Inspection is the systematic examination of an Engineering Entity, activity, or condition against declared requirements or expectations.

A Measurement is the determination of a quantity or property using a defined method, unit, reference, and uncertainty.

A Test is a controlled procedure used to determine behavior, performance, response, capacity, or conformity under specified conditions.

An Audit is an independent or appropriately objective examination of processes, systems, records, responsibilities, and compliance with established controls.

These activities are complementary but distinct:

inspection may be visual, dimensional, documentary, or instrumented;

measurement produces quantified information;

testing applies or observes defined conditions;

auditing evaluates whether the governing system is implemented and effective.

Each activity shall identify its scope, method, equipment, personnel, criteria, configuration, result, uncertainty, and evidence class where applicable.

An inspection checklist is not a Test Report. A measurement without calibration and context is not reliable evidence. An Audit does not replace physical inspection or product testing.