PDSA, PDCA, and the Strategic Planning Process

When I was reviewing for the ASQ Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence exam, I felt I needed a solid approach when it came to the essay portion of the exam. As I thought of various approaches, I settled on what is referred to as the Deming Wheel, a continuous improvement model. We commonly refer to this model as Plan-Do-Study-Act or Plan-Do-Check-Act.

Note the subtle difference in study and check. To me, study leads down an analysis path while check is more of a reactive, control path. However, both models can yield results if diligently applied. By the way, I passed the certification exam and am now an official Certified Manager of Quality / Organizational Excellence (ASQ CMQ/OE). So, my essay approach was successful and I have used it in teaching subsequent certification classes (with a 100% pass rate).
What do PDSA / PDCA and strategic planning have in common? All require planning, analysis, action and monitoring. All are circular, or continuous in nature. And all, use feedback to help modify the plan based on actual results. In other words, they are situational and flexible.

Note the similarities in the models and also note that both can be applied to personal development plans and career planning. They are good models and as stated, flexible enough to apply in a variety of situations.

Remember, what is the goal (vision), what is the current status, look at the gap, develop an improvement plan, deploy the plan, monitor progress, and adjust/modify actions as needed to achieve desired results.


Models:

Deming PDSA Improvement Cycle
  


Strategy making-strategy executing process




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