What does quality control aim to minimize?

Quality control is primarily focused on ensuring that products meet specific standards and are free from defects, thereby emphasizing the importance of minimizing errors at each stage of the production process. By implementing quality control measures, such as inspections, audits, and continuous monitoring, organizations are able to identify issues early and prevent defective products from reaching the market. This approach not only enhances the final product's quality but also contributes to operational efficiency and cost savings by reducing waste and rework.

While elements like production costs, time spent on production, and employee involvement are significant aspects of overall business operations, they are more indirectly associated with the objectives of quality control. Quality control specifically targets error reduction as a means to improve product quality and customer satisfaction. Thus, managing errors effectively is central to what quality control aims to achieve, which makes the identification of minimizing errors the correct focus of the question.