PDCA Cycle Tool (Deming Wheel)
A structured four-phase model for continuous improvement and quality management.
What is the PDCA Cycle?
The PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), also known as the Deming Wheel or Shewhart Cycle, is a systematic, iterative four-stage approach for continuous improvement in processes and products. It provides a simple but powerful framework for solving problems, managing change, and implementing quality control.
By repeatedly cycling through the four phases, organizations can refine their processes, identify root causes of problems, and create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
History & Origin
The concept was originally developed by American physicist and statistician Walter A. Shewhart in the 1920s, who is often called the "father of statistical quality control." Shewhart framed it as a three-step process of specification, production, and inspection for scientific learning.
His mentee, Dr. W. Edwards Deming, modified and popularized the cycle in the 1950s, evolving it into the four-step "Plan-Do-Check-Act" model we know today. Deming strongly advocated for its use in Japan, where it became a cornerstone of the country's post-war industrial and manufacturing success, known as "Kaizen" (continuous improvement).
How to Use This Tool
- Load Example: Click "Load Example" to see a pre-filled PDCA cycle for a common business problem.
- Follow the Steps: Document your own improvement project by filling in the details for each of the four phases (Plan, Do, Check, Act).
- Generate Report: Click "Generate PDCA Report" to create a consolidated summary of your cycle.
- Export: Once the report is generated, you can export it to an Excel file for documentation or to share with your team.