We cannot talk about Continuous Quality Improvement without mentioning two of its founding fathers, Walker Shewhart and W. Edwards Deming. Shewhart created a scientific method for process improvement. His model was described in the three-step process of specification, production, and inspection. Later, Deming advanced this model into what we know today as Plan, Do, Check (Study), Act, or PDSA. We use the PDSA Model as an effective tool to solve problems within an organization.  

Institute for Healthcare Improvement PDSA Training 

The ABCs of PDCA
By: Grace Gorenflo and John W. Moran

This paper provides more information about the PDSA model:

Going back to the roots of W.A. Shewhart (and further) and introduction of a new CPD cycle  

Martin Christopher Saier 

International Journal of Managing Projects in Business

ISSN: 1753-8378

Publication date: Jan. 4, 2017

Model for Improvement

What is the expected outcome? Does change mean an improvement? What changes can we make? 

Plan

• Define
• Measure
• Analyze

Do

• Improve
• Implement countermeasure

Act

• Control
• Continuous improvement
• Standardization

Study

• Control
• Interpret results

View the model for improvement.