Tool 180: Shewhart PDCA Cycle

AKA

Plan-Do-Check-Act Strategy

Classification

Changing/Implementing (CI)

Tool description

The Shewhart PDCA cycle is a structured cyclical approach for the continuous improvement of processes, products, or services. The plan-do-check-act cycle is usually tried first on a limited basis to test and validate the benefits of change prior to a full-scale implementation effort.

Typical application

• To provide a set of guidelines for a systemic application of problem solving steps, for validation of quality improvement opportunities, or for the verification of design criteria in new product development.

• To test an improvement idea for possible large-scale implementation.

• To continuously improve the quality of processes, products, and services.

• To transition from an idea exploration stage to a trial pilot project.

Problem-solving phase

	Select and define problem or opportunity
	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
→	Implement and evaluate solution or change
→	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
2	Project management
4	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
3	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
1	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Variance Analysis

• Systems Analysis Diagram

• Gap Analysis

• Force Field Analysis (FFA)

• Process Mapping

after

• Project Planning Log

• Objectives Matrix (OMAX)

• Work Flow Analysis (WFA)

• Barriers-and-Aids Analysis

• Action Plan

Notes and key points

• Cross-reference to teh Deming PDSA cycle (tool 62) for a variation of this process.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 Plan (P) a product, service, problem solution, or process improvement. See example From Product Development to Customer Satisfaction.

• STEP 2 Do (D) the activity planned, conduct an experiment, or pilot the change.

• STEP 3 Check (C) the results or effects of change. Analyze the collected data.

• STEP 4 Act (A) on lessons learned. Mark decision on large-scale production or implementation, abandonment, or activity, or the repeating of cycle steps 1–4 for continued improvement.

Example of tool application

From Product Development to Customer Satisfaction