Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle (PDSA) - A Complete Guide

What is the Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle (PDSA)?
The PDSA Cycle is a systematic series of steps that are used for continuous improvement in business process management and quality control. It includes four stages - Plan, Do, Study (or Check), and Act.

Why is PDSA Important?
PDSA is important as it allows organizations to experiment with changes, helping them to understand which changes will lead to improvements. It ensures a systematic understanding of which changes to implement, and if not effective, to revert without significantly affecting the processes.

How does PDSA Work?
PDSA works as a cyclic process. In the Plan stage, a change or a plan to improve the process is designed. In the Do stage, the plan is executed on a small scale. The Study stage involves analysis of the results and lessons were learnt. In the Act stage, actions are taken based on what was learned in the Study step. Then, the process repeats with a new Plan stage.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on PDSA
When addressing questions on PDSA in an exam:
- Understand the question: If the question is about a specific stage, your answer should focus on that stage.
- Sequence: Remember the sequence – Plan, Do, Study, Act.
- PDSA is iterative: Remember, PDSA is a cycle and is designed for continuous improvements, so the 'Act’ phase could lead back to 'Plan' for further improvements.
- Real Life Examples: If possible, use real life examples to explain how PDSA works, this shows your practical understanding of the subject.