The PDCA Cycle Of Systematic Development
PDCA is an acronym for PLAN, DO, CHECK and
ACT.
It is very simple, easy-to-use and highly
effective means of managing anything and everything!
The PDCA cycle is also known as the Deming
Cycle, the Deming wheel of continuous improvement spiral.
Its origin can be traced back to the eminent
statistics expert Mr. Walter A. Shewart, in the 1920’s.
He introduced the concept of PLAN, DO and SEE.
The late Total Quality Management (TQM) guru
and renowned statistician Edward W. Deming modified the
SHEWART cycle as: PLAN, DO, STUDY, and ACT.
Along with the other well-known American quality
guru-J.M. Juran, Deming went to Japan as part of the occupation
forces of the allies after World War II. Deming taught a
lot of Quality Improvement methods to the Japanese, including
the usage of statistics and the PLAN, DO, STUDY, ACT cycle.
The subsequent results of the Japanese industry,
business and government are now a part of business history
and well documented internationally.
The Japanese modified Deming’s coinage of
PLAN, DO, STUDY and ACT to the present-day, universally
accepted PDCA acronym for systematic management.
Moreover, many companies in Japan, USA, Europe
and India too have already proven beyond doubt the practical,
sustained business benefits accruing from this simple and
effective method.
Another compelling reason is that it can be
easily tried out (there is no financial cost, only mental
and physical efforts are required!) and practised at any
level and magnitude and the obvious advantages can be tasted
through a test-recipe before ordering the full course!
PDCA has varied applications. A few are listed
below:
Belief in PDCA, coupled with diligent application will
ensure successful implementation. Unlike most other management
concepts and jargons, the PDCA concept is used by all of
us, knowingly or unknowingly, in our own unique ways.
The simplest domestic example is the shopping-list made
by a housewife.
In a business environment, the simplest example
is the written or unwritten plan made by every individual,
at the start of a new day.
However, the important question is: Do we
implement this known method of systematic management, CONSISTENTLY,
AT ALL TIMES?
All of us plan most of our activities, and
we certainly implement most of these plans, in full or in
part (This is the DO portion of PDCA).
However, do we review (CHECK) our implementation
of the plan often and with ruthless thoroughness?
Even if we have done the reviews and reached
a conclusion, do we ACT on this information in an effective
and timely manner?
The PDCA methodology of Systematic Management
is the part of any Total Quality Management Programme for
the simple reason that the answer to the two questions in
the previous paragraph are not found to be satisfactory
in most business organisations.
Indian examples of some companies using TQM
and PDCA are:
