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Lean Definition: Deming Cycle

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The Deming Cycle, also known as the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is a standardized system for

making gains in quality and
conducting continuous improvement.

The Deming Cycle is occasionally referred to as the Stewhart cycle after Walter Stewhart. Stewhart is credited with originating the cycle in the 1920′s and 30′s, with its more popular namesake popularizing the Deming Cycle several years later.

The Deming Cycle’s Four Steps

PLAN: Plan out a change. This step of the Deming Cycle generally involves data collection, planning, and testing.
DO: Make the change. Implement the new process.
CHECK: Make sure the change is getting the desired results.
ACT: Follow up on the checks. Make additional changes, take a step back if that is called for, or standardize the process.

You may see a variation of the Deming Cycle that includes a ‘Study’ step instead of the ‘Check’ step. The PDSA version of the Deming Cycle puts more emphasis on understanding why a change does what it does, rather than just confirming that the change caused the desired outcome.

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