Deming Cycle

Deming Cycle or PDCA was made popular by Dr. W. Edwards Deming and hence it derives its name.  It consists of following four phases:

• Plan: During this phase objectives and processes (new or improved) are established which are necessary for achieving the desired output. Expected results are also documented.

• Do: New processes are implemented.

• Check: New processes are measured and results are compared against the expected results. This helps in identifying the differences, if any.

• Act: These differences are analysed to identify the cause. Steps to eradicate the differences are performed.

Cycle is repeated till the desired output is achieved.  Once desired output is achieved, process reaches a new maturity level which provides a new baseline for further improvement.

PDCA cycle can be compared with project management as well – Project Planning fitting into ‘Plan’, Project Implementation into ‘Do’, Project Audit – ‘Check’ and Project Control Actions – ‘Act’