What best defines a process in quality management?

A process in quality management is best defined as a set of interrelated or interacting activities that transforms inputs into outputs. This definition highlights the systematic nature of processes, which are essential for ensuring quality outcomes in any operational context. By depicting the relationship between inputs—such as resources, information, and materials—and the resulting outputs, this definition emphasizes the importance of each step in the workflow.

In quality management, understanding how these activities interact allows organizations to optimize processes, eliminate waste, and enhance efficiency, ultimately helping to achieve the desired quality standards. This transformation aspect is critical, as it frames the perspective of continuous improvement, which is a core principle in quality management practices.

Other options focus on specific elements related to quality but do not encompass the broader definition of a process. While identifying defects, establishing standards, and analyzing customer satisfaction are all important parts of a quality management system, they do not capture the essence of a process as a sequence of steps that collectively contribute to producing outputs from inputs.