SPEAK
TO THE PROBLEMS
(SHORT
NOTES FROM PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS:
Problem-Solving
Approaches at http://www.mindtools.com)
Implementing New Ideas in a Controlled
Way
Also known as the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
Cycle, or Deming Cycle
Something needs to change. Where the consequences of getting things
wrong are significant, it often makes sense to run a well-crafted pilot
project. That way things get to be fixed
and improved before fully committing your reputation and resources.
A popular tool for doing just this is
the Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle. This is
often referred to as the Deming Cycle or the Deming Wheel after its proponent,
W Edwards Deming. It is also sometimes
called the Shewhart Cycle.
The four phases in the Plan-Do-Check-Act
Cycle involve:
·
Plan: Identifying
and analyzing the problem.
·
Do: Developing
and testing a potential solution.
·
Check: Measuring
how effective the test solution was, and analyzing whether it could be improved
in any way.
·
Act: Implementing
the improved solution fully.
These are shown in Figure 1 below.
The PDCA Cycle encourages to be
methodical in the approach to problem solving and implementing solutions.
Step 1: Plan
·
First, identify exactly the problem.
·
useful to use tools:
o Drill Down
o Cause and Effect Diagrams
o 5 Whys
Step 2: Do
·
phases involves:
o Generate possible solutions.
o Select the best solutions, using techniques like
Impact Analysis to scrutinize them.
o Implement a pilot project on a small scale basis.
Step 3: Check
·
measure how effective the pilot solution
has been
·
gather together any learnings from it
that could make it even better
Step 4: Act
·
implement solution fully.
·
seek out further areas for improvement.
The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle
provides a simple but effective approach for problem solving and managing
change, where the ideas are appropriately tested before committing to full
implementation. PDCA can be used in all sorts of environments.
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