One of the main tools for continuous improvement in business is the well-known and widely applied by all Deming Cycle or PDCA cycle also named (plan, do, check and act). In fact the series was developed by Walter Shewhart, who originated the concept. But the Japanese were responsible for making it known to the world, named in honor of Dr. William Edwards Deming.
Mr. Deming did not succeed fully in their country. His revolutionary ideas were echoed among his countrymen but in Japan. In that country had made economic studies from 1946 to 1948 for the U.S. War Department and became so well known that in 1950 the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers invited to give courses to the chief executives of Japanese companies.
Japanese industry could see in his ideas of continuous improvement as a springboard to improve their productivity. Basically what Deming did in this regard was to use common sense (usually the least common of the senses) applying the techniques of quality management as a strategy for achieving competitive advantage and long-term goals.
The Deming cycle is used among other things for continuous quality improvement within a company. The cycle consists of a logical sequence of four repeated steps that must be carried out consecutively. These steps are: Plan, Do, Check and Act. Within each of the steps we can identify some activities to be carried out, then add some to hope and to guide you. Remember these are just a few.
The 4 steps of the Deming Cycle
Plan
- Set targets for improvement.
- Detail specifications of the expected results.
- Identify points of measurement.
Do
- Apply solutions.
- Document the actions taken.
Watch
- Monitor changes have been made.
- Get feedback.
Act
- Make necessary adjustments.
- Implement further improvements.
- Document.
Continuous improvement is a continual search of problems and their solutions. Therefore we must consider the fundamental concept of the cycle is never ending.
To use it do not really need many requirements. Often the same Dr. Deming used a napkin and a pen to explain to their students. While we may be tempted to say “that the tool does not display a high degree of difficulty,” not that means the tool is not powerful
