Cycle for Continuous Improvement

Can continuous improvement for your existing processes and problems be done in four steps? Walter Shewhart, known as the “Father of Statistical Quality Control,” created such a cycle by adapting the scientific method. This PDCA Cycle was further refined by W. Edwards Deming, the “Father of Quality Management.” Deming put the cycle to the test, where it found wide popularity and success in Japan.

At Royal Engineering, we are continuously striving for improvement, and odds are you are already using at least some part of this model as well. Which of the four steps are you already doing successfully? Which steps do you need to improve?

Plan

This step is all about setting the groundwork. It involves identifying problems, collecting your data, and coming up with how you will address it. This can include brainstorming, defining objectives, and mapping out your processes. Your plan will be the roadmap to guild the subsequent steps.

Do

The best plan has no value without proper execution. As you implement the strategies and processes you’ve designed, begin collecting data to measure their success. You can even test your plan on a smaller scale to test its effectiveness prior to a full rollout.

Reflect/Check

This involves reviewing and analyzing the results of the “Do” step. Here, you compare the actual results to the expected outcomes to see if your plan is working as intended. Analyze the data and identifying any discrepancies or areas for improvement. Think of it as a thorough assessment to understand what went well and what could have gone better. In my experience, it’s easy to blow past this step. There can be a lot of value in taking the time to properly reflect on your continuous improvement. I suggest spending a little more time than you think is necessary on this step.

Improve/Act

Now the effort you put into reflecting pays off. Put the insights gained into action and use them to make improvements. Implement the necessary changes to optimize the process, then standardize those improvements to ensure consistent results going forward. It’s like fine-tuning your approach to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, and then locking in those gains.

As you navigate the cycle of continuous improvement, remember that each step—Plan, Do, Reflect, and Act—builds on the last. Mastering this cycle can transform your processes and outcomes, one step at a time. Keep assessing, keep refining, and watch as your efforts pay off. Which step will you focus on improving today?