PDCA: What it is and how to apply it for better results

 

Have you heard of the PDCA cycle? If you haven’t heard, don’t worry because in this article you will understand all about it.

Basically, when we talk about the PDCA cycle, we are referring to a method of planning and carrying out project in a more optimized way, solving several problems related to quality and delivery time.

In general, the method is aimed at companies that are looking to achieve improved results. To this end, the name refers to an acronym that sets out the steps to be performed, divided into the following aspects:

• Plan (Plan);
• Execute (Do);
• Check (Check);
• Act (Act).

Thus, through this method, the company can direct its processes and employees to achieve the goals.

In addition, it can be highlighted that PDCA is also a practice that contributes to the improvement of the company’s management, focusing on the quality of processes, development of new projects and problem solving.

To understand what this cycle represents and its importance for organizations, read on.

Find out more about the PDCA cycle

A company needs to deliver positive results for society and for its own development, i.e., it seeks for better conditions when performing its tasks.

In this way, every company has goals and objectives that need to be well delimited and aligned with the team.

Managers have daily challenges that involve making the company grow, be profitable and stand out in the market.

In this sense, there are some methodologies that can be applied to ensure that these actions occur assertively, and that decision making by the management team occurs correctly.

 

One such method is the PDCA cycle, also known as the Shewhart Cycle.

Basically, this is a tool that helps in the management of the company and is focused on the quality of the activities that will be performed.

For this, it is divided into 4 stages, which are known as Plan (plan), Do (do), Check (check) and Act (act). We’ll talk about each of these below!

Planning

The planning phase consists of identifying the problems the company has, desired goals, or idea you want to implement.

In other words, here the intent is to think about processes and solutions, and even consider what problems the company faces.

So it is essential to understand what the problem is unfolding, who it impacts, the causes that are giving rise to that problem, and develop a plan of action.

Do

After planning, there is the stage related to Do.

At this point, the company should start carrying out the planning by testing the possible solutions identified for the problems pointed out in the investigation.

Basically, this is the phase of executing the action plan that was defined earlier.