Strategy

Plan Do Act Check (PDCA) Cycle: Free Template

Plan Do Act Check (PDCA) Cycle Framework. Guide and free PDF, PowerPoint, and Google Slides templates.

Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle: Free PDF, PowerPoint and Google Slides template

Also known as the Shewhart Cycle, Deming Cycle, or Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle

Introduction of the Plan-Do-Act-Check (PDCA) cycle

The Plan-Do-Act-Check (PDCA) cycle is a continuous improvement methodology that is used to plan, implement, and measure the effectiveness of a process or system.

It is also known as the Deming Cycle or the Shewhart Cycle. The PDCA cycle is a four-step process that includes:

Plan: Identify the problem or opportunity and define the goals and objectives. Develop a plan to address the issue and establish a method to measure the results.
Do: Implement the plan and gather data on the process or system.
Check: Analyze the data to determine if the plan was effective and if any changes need to be made.
Act: Make necessary adjustments to the process or system and implement changes.

The PDCA cycle is an iterative process, meaning that it is repeated continuously to continually improve the process or system.

The process is designed to be flexible, allowing adjustments and improvements to be made as needed. It is instrumental in quality management, process improvement, and problem-solving. It's widely used in many industries as a process improvement method and part of the Six Sigma methodology.

What is the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle?

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is a project planning or iterative change management tool. By following this four-step model, organizations can create a culture of continuous improvement that leads to more effective decision-making and better results.

Many companies have used the PDCA cycle to implement change in their organizations. It has been used for manufacturing companies, non-profits, and government agencies. Plan-do-check-act processes create a sense of ownership and responsibility.

The PDCA cycle is also known as the Deming Cycle, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle, or Shewhart Cycle.

What are the four main phases of a PDCA model?

The PDCA cycle is based on four stages: plan, do, check, and act.

The first step of the PDCA cycle is to plan. This involves identifying an initiative and defining the desired results. The second step is to do, which consists of putting the plan into action. The third step is to check, which involves evaluating progress towards the goal. And finally, the fourth step is to act, which consists in taking any necessary action to improve further.

When to use the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle?

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle model is commonly used for problem-solving, implementing change, transformation, or continuous improvement projects.

It can be used in various situations to drive continuous improvement and problem-solving. Here are four examples:

Process improvement: The PDCA cycle can be used to identify and improve processes within an organization.
Project management: The PDCA cycle can be used to manage projects, ensuring that goals are achieved and that lessons learned from one project can be applied to future projects.
Quality control: The PDCA cycle can be used to monitor and improve the quality of products or services by regularly checking and adjusting processes to ensure that they meet customer requirements.
Problem-solving: The PDCA cycle can solve problems by identifying root causes, testing solutions, and implementing permanent fixes to prevent recurring issues.

Who created the concept of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)?

W. Edwards Deming created the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle.

W. Edwards Deming was an American statistician, professor, author, and consultant known for his work in quality management and for introducing statistical process control, quality control, and continuous improvement methods to Japan after World War II.

He created the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle as a simple and effective tool for continuous improvement, and it is widely used in various industries as a process management method. The PDCA cycle involves four steps: plan, do, check, and act, which represent a systematic and continuous process of improvement.

How to use the Plan-Do-Check-Act PDCA cycle?

The PDCA cycle consists of four steps: plan, do, check, and act. Each step builds on the previous one, so I think it's essential to go through each phase in order.

Plan

The planning step involves setting goals and objectives. This is where you define what you want to change or improve and what metrics you will use to measure your progress.

Do

The do step involves doing the work that leads to improvement. This may include changing behaviors or taking action against your metrics.

Check

The check step involves evaluating your results after you've completed the plan and done steps. This allows you to adjust your plan as necessary and as you go along.