Ivan Carillo

PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT

HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE PDCA CYCLE

AND LEVEL UP YOUR BUSINESS
Ivan Carillo

WHAT IS THE PDCA CYCLE?

The PDCA cycle is a four-step model for carrying out
change.

The acronym stands for:

PL
T

AN
+Plan AC
+Do
+Check
CK

DO
HE

+Act
C

It provides a simple but effective approach to solving

problems as well as implementing solutions in a
rigorous, methodical way.

This model is useful for testing improvement measures

on a small scale before updating procedures and work
practices.
Ivan Carillo

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PDCA

The history of the PDCA cycle is quite interesting and
spans several decades. It’s deeply rooted in the
scientific method and quality control principles.

Early development: The concept is developed by W.

A. Shewhart, a physicist at Bell Telephone Laboratories.

In the 1920s, Shewhart introduced a cycle for quality

control in manufacturing. This cycle consisted of three
steps: specification, production, and inspection.

1950s: W. E. Deming, a statistician and management

consultant, learned about Shewhart's work and began
to refine the concept.

He introduced the Shewhart cycle to Japan during his

lectures. Deming referred to this cycle as the
"Shewhart cycle" or "PDSA" (Plan-Do-Study-Act).
Ivan Carillo

Japanese adoption: The PDCA cycle became a

fundamental part of the Kaizen philosophy in the
1950s-1960s.

Global recognition: As Japanese companies gained

prominence in global markets (1970s-1980s), Western
companies began to take notice of their quality
management practices, including the PDCA cycle.

TQM movement: The PDCA cycle became a core

component of the Total Quality Management
movement, which swept through American and
European businesses in the 1980s and 1990s.

Modern applications: Today, the PDCA cycle is

widely used across various industries and sectors.

It has been adapted in healthcare, education,

software development, and many other fields.

Here’s how the PDCA cycle works:

Ivan Carillo

1. PLAN
The "Plan" stage of the PDCA cycle is the first and most
crucial step in the CI process.

It involves recognizing an opportunity and planning a

change to address it.

Defining the Problem or Opportunity

Identify and analyze the problem or opportunity for improvement
Gather data to understand the current situation

Setting your Goals and Objectives

Establish SMART goals
Determine the desired outcomes and how to measure success

Developing an Action Plan

Outline the steps, resources, and timeline to implement the change
Identify potential obstacles and plan ways to overcome them

A well-thought-out plan increases the chances of

successful implementation.
Ivan Carillo

2. do
The "Do" stage is the second step where the planned
changes are implemented and tested.

During this stage, the proposed changes or solutions

are implemented, typically on a small scale or in a
controlled environment.

Executing the Plan

Carry out the action plan developed in the "Plan" stage
Implement the changes or solutions on a pilot or trial basis
Ensure all team members understand roles and responsibilities
Collect relevant data and information during the implementation

Monitoring and Documenting

Closely monitor the implementation process
Identify any unexpected issues or new problems
Document the activities, observations, and data collected

It's important to start small and implement the changes

on a limited scale first before rolling them out more
broadly.
Ivan Carillo

3. CHECK
The "Check" stage of the PDCA cycle is where the
results of the implemented changes are evaluated.

During this stage, the team compares the actual

results against the expected or planned outcomes
established in the "Plan" stage.

Measuring and Analyzing Results

Collect and analyze the data gathered during the "Do" stage
Compare the results against the goals set in the "Plan" stage
Find differences between the expected and actual outcomes
Use statistical tools to validate the results (if applicable)

Evaluating the Effectiveness

Assess if you achieved the desired improvements
Determine if the changes were effective
Identify any unintended consequences or new issues

If the results are satisfactory and meet the established

goals, the team can proceed to the "Act" stage. If not,
the team will need to go back to the "Plan" stage.
Ivan Carillo

4. ACT
It’s the final step where the results of the implemented
changes are reviewed and decisions are made about
the next steps. It involves taking action based on the
insights gathered during the "Check" stage.

Reviewing the Results

Analyze the data and results from the "Check" stage
Determine if the implemented changes were successful
Compare the actual outcomes to the planned objectives

Deciding on Next Steps

If the changes were successful, implement them on a larger scale
If not, go back to the "Plan" stage to develop new solutions
Standardize the process when the changes are successful

Documenting and Sharing

Document the lessons learned from the entire PDCA cycle
Share the findings with relevant stakeholders

Remember, the PDCA cycle is a loop, not a linear path.

The "Act" stage isn’t the end of the process.

It’s the beginning of the next cycle.
 TL;DR:
The PDCA cycle is a 4-step model for carrying out
change.

ACT
PLAN
Implement the best solutions and
Identify needs and establish
take actions to keep improving
necessary objectives

PL
T

AN
AC

NEVER STOP
IMPROVING
CK

DO
HE
C

DO
Execute the plan and
test potential solutions

CHECK
Analyze results in comparison
with the expected results
Ivan Carillo

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