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How Does the PDSA Cycle Work?

Plan: A well-developed plan includes the what, who, when, where, outcome predictions, and the data to be collected. Consider the following questions:

  • What exactly will the team do? Remember to only test one small idea with each PDSA cycle.
  • Who will carry out the plan?
  • When will it take place? This should be in a short timeframe, generally no more than a week.
  • Where will it take place?
  • What do you predict will happen?
  • What data/information will be collected to know whether there is an improvement? These data should be specific to the change being tested. It is likely that data required to test the change idea will differ from the data collected for the second Fundamental Question, which measures progress towards the overall goal.
  • When you plan the PDSA cycle, it is important to be as clear and as detailed as possible. The results are dependent on how good the plan is.

Do: Write down what happened when the plan was implemented. Document observations and record data.

Study: Reflect upon what happened. Think about and summarise what has been learnt, analysing the data collected and comparing these data to your predictions. If there was a difference between the predictions and what happened, consider why this was the case.

Act: In light of the results from the test, will you implement the tested change, amend it, or try something else? Write down the next idea the team will test. What will you do differently? Be sure to start planning the next cycle sooner rather than later to continue the improvement momentum.

PDSA Cylces

PLAN

A well-developed plan includes the what, who, when, where, outcome predictions, and the data to be collected. Consider the following questions:

DO

Write down what happened when the plan was implemented. Document observations and record data.

STUDY

Reflect upon what happened. Think about and summarise what has been learnt, analysing the data collected and comparing these data to your predictions. If there was a difference between the predictions and what happened, consider why this was the case.

ACT

In light of the results from the test, will you implement the tested change, amend it, or try something else? Write down the next idea the team will test. What will you do differently? Be sure to start planning the next cycle sooner rather than later to continue the improvement momentum.

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Remember

When Working with PDSA Cycles, remember the following:

  • Anyone can use a PDSA cycle in any area
  • No PDSA cycle is too small - in fact they are often too big!
  • You should expect to complete a series of PDSA cycles to achieve your goal
  • PDSA cycles can build upon one another to achieve rapid results
  • PDSA cycles help the team learn from their work
  • Documenting PDSA cycles is a great way of motivating the team and sharing information and learnings with other people; and
  • You will learn as much from something that did not go well as you can from something that did!
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