What does the PDCA cycle stand for?

The PDCA cycle stands for "Plan-Do-Check-Act," which is a widely recognized iterative process used in quality management and continuous improvement. This cycle is designed to help organizations systematically improve their processes and products.

In the "Plan" phase, objectives are defined and strategies are established for achieving them. This sets the groundwork for improvement efforts. The "Do" phase involves implementing the plan on a small scale to test its effectiveness. During the "Check" phase, the outcomes of the plan are evaluated against the objectives to determine success. Finally, the "Act" phase involves taking corrective actions and refining processes based on the findings from the "Check" phase, leading to further iterations of the cycle.

This continuous loop encourages organizations to regularly assess their operations, make data-driven decisions, and implement iterative changes, which enhances efficiency and effectiveness over time.