Quality assurance in the context of system development is defined as:

• A. To expedite development without checks
• B. Planned and systematic activities implemented so that quality requirements will be fulfilled
• C. To increase project costs
• D. To replace testing entirely

Answer: (B)

Quality assurance in system development is a proactive, process-focused approach that uses planned and systematic activities to ensure that quality requirements will be fulfilled. It involves establishing standards, documenting processes, conducting audits, providing training, and driving continuous improvements so defects are prevented before they occur. This is the best choice because it describes building quality into the development process itself, rather than just testing at the end or adding costs after the fact. Expediting development without checks undermines quality; increasing project costs is not the goal of QA (preventing defects can reduce rework); and replacing testing entirely ignores the ongoing need to verify that the product meets requirements.