The document discusses the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, which is a structured approach used for testing improvements on a small scale. It involves planning a change, testing it, observing the results, and determining what was learned to inform future cycles. The benefits of the PDSA cycle are that it allows for establishing new processes through repetitive learning on a small scale first before wider implementation. It is useful for new product development, identifying waste, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven problem solving.

1. Presented by
Dr. R. RAJA, M.E., Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor, Department of EEE,
Muthayammal Engineering College, (Autonomous)
Namakkal (Dt), Rasipuram – 637408
MUTHAYAMMAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE
(An Autonomous Institution)
(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, Accredited by NAAC, NBA & Affiliated to Anna University),
Rasipuram - 637 408, Namakkal Dist., Tamil Nadu.
Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Cycle in Total Quality Management

2. Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Cycle
What is a PDSA Cycle?
It is a rapid test of improvement. When a change idea is generated, the PDSA cycle
allows for a structured approach to rapid testing of the idea on a small scale.
Tips to accelerate the rate of improvement:
 Scale down the size of the initial test
 Think a couple of cycles ahead
 Test with volunteers
 Plan multiple cycles to test and adapt change
 Do not try to get buy-in or consensus for the test –just do it!
 Collect useful data during each test
 Think BIG and test small
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When to Use the PDCA Cycle
1. Starting a new improvement project
2. Developing a new or improved design of a
process, product, or service
3. Defining a repetitive work process
4. Planning data collection and analysis in order to
verify and prioritize problems or root causes
5. Implementing any change
6. Working toward continuous improvement

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The Plan-do-check-act Procedure
 Plan: Recognize an opportunity and
plan a change.
 Do: Test the change. Carry out a small-
scale study.
 Check: Review the test, analyze the
results, and identify what you’ve
learned.
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 Act: Take action based on what you learned in the study step. If the change did
not work, go through the cycle again with a different plan. If you were
successful, incorporate what you learned from the test into wider changes. Use
what you learned to plan new improvements, beginning the cycle again

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Benefits of PDSA Cycle
 PDSA works well when you are establishing new processes.
 A PDSA is repetitive approach, and it helps you apply learning on a small scale first
and gradually scaling up the volumes.
 PDSA works well on new product development.
 PDSA can quickly help identify non-value added resources and find ways to reduce
while saving cost to the company
 PDSA is a continuous improvement and development tool
 PDSA lends itself well to high-volume process, where change can make a significant
difference to effectiveness and quality of output
 Problem-solving process: Works well in cases where there are plenty of data to
analyze and evaluate

6. Thank You
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