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Lean Definition: PDCA Cycle

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The PDCA cycle is a problem solving approach. It is also known as the Deming cycle, after Dr. W. Edwards Deming, the man credited with popularizing this problem solving methodology.

The 4 Steps of the PDCA Cycle include:

Plan. The plan step of the PDCA cycle entails setting objectives and gathering up information to make improvements.
Do. In this step, the problem solver implements the plan.
Check. Problem solving requires confirmation that the change actually improved things. Problem solvers do this in the ‘Check’ step of the PDCA cycle.
Act. After checking, a problem solver must act on the information. It could be stabilizing the change, if things are going well, or repeating the PDCA cycle if there was still an unresolved problem.

The PDCA Cycle

The PDCA cycle is frequently associated with daily management. Leaders in Lean organizations have a responsibility to make things better. This tool helps them use a structured approach to make decisions when solving problems.

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