Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle (PDCA Cycle)

PDCA cycle is one of the simplest and the easiest management approaches for
process control and continuous improvement.

 PDCA – stands for Plan – Do – Check – Act.

 It is also called Deming’s cycle or Shewhart cycle.
 Sometimes it is also called a PDSA cycle: Plan-do-Study-Act.
 It is used for a new product or concept development, problem solving, project
implementation and many other fields.

Figure 1: PDCA Diagram

Applications of the PDCA Cycle

 PDCA cycle is mainly used in software field for Software development
lifecycle.
 It is used in manufacturing and Service industries for new product
development.
 It also finds its place in Project Management of any nature.
 Areas like Change Management also use PDCA cycle for their
implementation.

Figure 1: PDCA Diagram

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Let us now see, the activities in each stage of a PDCA Cycle.

Plan:
1. Establish the objectives and goals of the task to be improved or developed.
2. Describe the task in detail with clear specifications
3. Develop a team that will be a part of the PDCA and set the deadlines
4. Note down the data to be used, resources that will be needed, cost expected,
risks and mitigating steps, manpower required, support needed from
management.
5. Draw an implementation plan with breakdown of each task, owner,
expected outcome, operating procedure or guidelines etc.

Do:

1. As per the implementation plan, perform all the tasks.

2. Keep the stakeholders informed of the progress
3. Adhere to the schedule and highlight any significant concerns and
variations noted.

Check:

1. One the activity is performed, validate whether the outcome is as intended

and planned.
2. Make a note of all variations, defects, best practices, pain areas and
challenges faced
3. Identify the root causes for the problems

Act:

1. Correct the defects and make it comply to the specifications

2. Identify the preventive actions for all the root causes identified
3. Implement the preventive actions and check whether the outcome is as
expected.
4. Repeat the steps Do-Check-Act until all of the objectives are met to the
satisfaction of the stakeholders.

Thus the PDCA cycle will help in improving the performance of a process stage
by stage in a steady and levelled manner.