Explained briefly, the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle is a model for carrying out change. It is a simple four-stage method that enables teams to avoid recurring mistakes and improve processes. It is an essential part of the Lean manufacturing philosophy and a key prerequisite for continuous improvement of people and processes.

1. By eliminating defects and streamlining processes, you can improve the quality of your product or service.
2. But remember that solutions are never final with the continuous improvement model.
3. There will always be room for improvement, so don’t strive for perfection.
4. PDSA is an analytical process that considers the process as is, analyzes it further, revises it as appropriate and then repeats the cycle for continuous improvement.
5. And if you got poor or mixed results, use what you learned to go back to the drawing board and start again.
6. In the long run, you’ll do a better job with fewer resources, creating more efficiency, less waste, and a higher-quality product.

Why is the Lean PDCA cycle important to the iterative process?

He created the cycle as part of his quest to identify the factors that caused products and services to fail to meet customers’ expectations. Deming’s solution ultimately formed the basis for today’s ISO 9001 quality standards and Total Quality Management (TQM) concepts. Leaders set targets (plan) against a stable baseline of performance. Then they measure (Check) the change to evaluate performance against the target.

Lean Development with Plan-Do-Check-Act Iterative Process

As a result, your organization will experience increased customer satisfaction. Continuous improvement is sometimes called the PDCA cycle, which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act. In summary, the PDCA Cycle is a valuable tool for systematic problem-solving and continuous improvement, particularly effective in structured environments where incremental progress is essential. In general, for Lean Six Sigma the PDCA cycle is more ideal for small projects that lack complexity and dont need to be broken down into smaller steps like DMAIC, 8D and A3 offer. PDCA projects are usually used where smaller teams can address the problem. Join our email list below and for the next 28 days, we will send you exclusive tools, templates and guides unavailable on the website.

This model was redesigned by the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) in 1951 and became what we know today as a PDCA cycle.

Because of the continuous approach of PDCA, organizations can use this model to gather relevant information before considering whether to progress with a plan or make improvements. This data-driven approach provides a ground basis for organizations’ continuous improvement of processes, products, services, and people. PDCA cycle is an iterative process for continually improving products, people, and services. It became an integral part of what is known today as Lean management. The Plan-Do-Check-Act model includes solutions testing, analyzing results, and improving the process.

Using the PDCA Cycle to Support Continuous Improvement (Kaizen)

In the “Act” stage of the PDCA cycle, the retailer decides which product lines it will sell permanently and enters into talks with suppliers to establish an ongoing relationship. Using the PDCA cycle, the retailer decides to introduce three new products every month. Since the viability of the hiring agency relies on providing talent or labor for its clients, a team uses the PDCA cycle to make the process more efficient.

Using data, the team can make adjustments to the solution and reassess the hypothesis. After an which of the following is iterative four stage approach for continually improving the process idea has been shown to be effective, it can be standardized and implemented companywide. The iterative process of the PDCA cycle enables ideas to be continuously tested and promotes a continuous improvement and continuous learning culture.