HKSM
Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)
A repeating management cycle that helps organizations control their work and drive ongoing improvement in processes and products.
Key Points
- Iterative loop focused on continuous improvement and control of processes and outputs.
- Four steps: Plan (define change and metrics), Do (try it on a small scale), Check (analyze results), Act (standardize or adjust and repeat).
- Data-driven learning: decisions are based on measured outcomes, not assumptions.
- Works well with agile practices and Kaizen for frequent, incremental enhancements.
Example
A Scrum team wants to cut build time. Plan: set a goal to reduce builds from 15 to 10 minutes and choose metrics. Do: enable parallel tests and cache dependencies for two sprints. Check: compare average build times and failure rates. Act: keep the changes if targets are met; otherwise adjust the approach and start the next PDCA cycle.
PMP Example Question
Which technique emphasizes a repeated cycle of planning a change, implementing it on a small scale, reviewing results, and adapting to achieve continuous process improvement?
- Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
- Stage Gate governance model
- Earned Value Management (EVM)
- MoSCoW prioritization
Correct Answer: A — Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
Explanation: PDCA is a cyclical method for controlling work and driving ongoing improvement through iterative learning and adaptation.
