Plan, Do, Check, Act
The fundamentals that leaders excel at!
Over the past few months, I've been deeply immersed in managing several exciting and cognitively demanding projects. Staying organized while juggling multiple initiatives is no small feat, and even the most experienced professionals can find it overwhelming at times. A quick Google search—or a query to ChatGPT these days—will surface countless techniques for tackling this challenge. But today, I want to share one that has stuck with me, a concept I learned from my Dad during one of our casual conversations.
During the mid-90s, he was introduced to Total Quality Management (TQM)—a popular framework for problem-solving and continuous improvement at the time. While TQM isn’t as commonly mentioned now, its principles remain foundational and are embedded in methodologies like Six Sigma. One of the most enduring lessons he shared with me from his TQM experience was the PDCA cycle: Plan, Do, Check, Act.
What Is PDCA?
PDCA is a simple yet powerful framework for achieving goals through iterative improvement. Its clarity is its strength—most people can intuit its essence just from the name. Here’s how I define each step:
Plan: Clearly define your goals and gather the necessary data to frame them accurately.
Do: Execute your plan with focus and intent.
Check: Assess the outcomes and measure them against your original goals.
Act: If the results align with your expectations, great! If not, revisit the Plan phase, adjust, and repeat.
This iterative cycle continues until you achieve the desired results, making PDCA a cornerstone of continuous improvement.
Why PDCA Works
The beauty of PDCA lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether you’re tackling work projects or personal goals, it provides a structured approach to stay on track and make progress. It’s not just about theory—its true power emerges in practice.
Applying PDCA in Your Work and Life
The next time you embark on a project, whether professional or personal, try visualizing the PDCA cycle. Use it as a guide to organize your efforts, evaluate your progress, and refine your approach. Over time, you’ll likely find it becomes second nature—a mental model for effective problem-solving.
Thanks for reading, and I hope PDCA serves you as well as it has for me. Let me know your thoughts or share your own experiences with this timeless concept!
Great one !