The number of defects produced is a measure of _______.

The number of defects produced is a measure of the effectiveness of a quality assurance system because it directly reflects how well the processes, standards, and practices in place are functioning to maintain quality control. A quality assurance system aims to minimize defects and ensure that products meet certain quality criteria. Therefore, if there are a high number of defects, it indicates that the quality assurance measures may not be effective, leading to potential issues in the production process. Conversely, a lower number of defects suggests that the quality assurance system is successfully identifying and mitigating problems, thereby ensuring a higher quality of output.

While the other options relate to important aspects of a business, they do not directly connect to the measurement of defects. Employee productivity may contribute to the number of defects, but it does not specifically measure the effectiveness of quality assurance efforts. Customer satisfaction can be influenced by the presence of defects, typically in a negative way, but it is not a direct measurement of defects themselves. Profit margins might be affected by overall product quality and defects but do not provide a measure of how well a quality assurance system is performing.