The PDCA loop is a way to change workflows and raise standards. The letters PDCA represent Plan, Execute, Check, and Execute. This cycle is used by people at all levels of the organization. In many ways, PDCA is a good entry point for lean production such as the well know Toyota's Lean Approach.
The PDCA cycle drives productivity and strives to make processes better. Leaders can use it to improve and review standard work procedures, teams can use it to change improvement activities, and managers can use it to try to improve recommendations after startup.
In the four stages of this cycle, people do the following:
Plan: Assess the current status and seek improvements. If there is a problem, please check it in detail. Develop workable solutions and implementation methods. At this stage, gather as much information as possible in order to make informed decisions on how to proceed.
Do: Try to develop a plan to ensure that everyone involved understands the change. This implementation phase is key to accurate results.
Check: Track the effect of viewing changes. Take some time to compare the new state with the previous state
Action: If the change is valid, continue to use it and make it a new standard. This will be a new reference point for the future PDCA.
The PDCA cycle seeks continuous improvement and not a one-off process. This means that once it's done, people can start looking for further solutions for the future. It is an integral part of continuous improvement process, as it provides a framework for ongoing changes.
