# 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.

 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?](https://asq.org/quality-resources/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
  [Project manager](https://personawiki.app/en/personas/manager) · [Management consultant](https://personawiki.app/en/personas/management-consultant) · [Customer success manager](https://personawiki.app/en/personas/customer-success-manager)

## 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](https://personawiki.app/knowledge/pdca)

## API
[JSON document](https://personawiki.app/api/v1/knowledge/pdca?lang=en)