25 Need-To-Know Management Models

Chapter 21

The Deming cycle: plan–do–check–act

• Why use it? The Deming cycle, or plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle is a method to structure and effectively manage improvement and change projects.
• What does it do? PDCA leads you through a logical sequence of four repetitive steps for continuous improvement and learning: planning (‘plan’) the improvement of an activity should be followed by execution of the activity (‘do’) according to the plan. One should then measure and study (‘check’) the results and the improvement. Action should then be taken (‘act’) towards adapting the objectives and/or improvement. The consequent learning should be implemented in planning the new activities.
• When to use it? The PDCA cycle allows an organisation to manage ...