PDCA and small improvement experiments
An iterative process of planning a change, testing it on a small scale, reviewing results and using them to determine further action.
On this page
Method · Business and customers
Core concepts
- Plan and do: identify an improvement opportunity and test a bounded change
- Check: analyze trial results and record learning
- Act: expand the change or try a revised plan according to the results
Application
Record goals, observation measures and trial scope for recurring customer-support or operational procedures, then decide whether to adopt, revise or stop the change.
Limitations and jurisdiction
PDCA itself does not supply a data-analysis method or a procedure for establishing causality. External factors can affect before-and-after comparisons; do not automatically generalize a small trial.
Editorial perspectives
- Stability: set a small scope and stopping conditions.
- Learning: record why results differ and the assumptions for the next trial.
Sources
ASQ · Viewed 2026-10-08
What is the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle?Context: Quality improvement method guidance
Source checked: 2026-10-08
Independent editorial summary and source link; the original text is not republished.
Related personas
Translation status
Editorial English translation of the Korean edition. No professional translation or occupational expert review has been completed. Translation does not change the source jurisdiction.
Translation prepared: 2026-10-09 · Source fingerprint: kb-8117daa4bd627b46
Korean source