Which activity involves comparing a specific product quality with a standard value?

Inspection involves the systematic examination of products to ensure that they meet specified quality standards. During an inspection, products are compared against predetermined criteria or benchmarks to determine whether they are acceptable or defective. This activity is crucial in identifying any variances in product quality, which can prompt corrective actions before the products reach the customer.

Quality audits, while also important, focus more on the processes and systems in place rather than directly comparing product attributes against standards. Quality improvement refers to efforts aimed at enhancing processes or products over time, rather than assessing them at a single point in time. Quality management encompasses a broader range of practices and strategies that include planning, controlling, and improving quality; however, it does not specifically focus on the evaluation of individual product quality against standards as inspection does.