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PDSA Quality Improvement: A Scientific Method of Change

PDSA Quality Improvement: A Scientific Method of Change
  • The PDSA cycle of quality improvement, sometimes called the “Deming Cycle,” is based on the scientific method, which approaches problems through hypothesis (plan), experimentation (do), and evaluation (study). 
  • In business, the output of a successful PDSA cycle is a new standard work that institutionalizes the improvement.

1. Plan : 

  • The planning step must include answers to the following questions:
  • What are we trying to accomplish?
  • Do we understand the problem and the current situation?
  • How will we know if the change is an improvement?
  • What changes can we make that will result in improvement?
  • Who should be involved in the project?
  • What are the dates and milestones associated with this work?

2. Do : 

  • Once the planning phase is complete and a hypothesis has been made about specific changes expected to lead to measurable improvement, the “do” step can begin. 
  • This part of the cycle should be considered experimental.
  • As with a scientific experiment, careful observation and data collection are just as important as the action itself.

3. Study:

  • Teams commonly use control charts to visualize the results of the process over time. 
  • They can help sort out standard (expected) variation in results from special cause (unexpected) variation.

4. Adjust: 

  • This is when it is time to communicate the change with all stakeholders and recognize the efforts of those who participated in the work. 
  • PDSA in quality improvement can be used to identify new standards that constantly improve process results and, therefore, customer value

To know more about this method of scaling a business, do read the entire article:https://blog.kainexus.com/continuous-improvement/improvement-disciplines/lean/pdsa/a-scientific-approach-to-continuous-improvement

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