From the course: Lean Six Sigma for a Sustainable Future

Plan, do, check, act

From the course: Lean Six Sigma for a Sustainable Future

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Plan, do, check, act

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- A very popular lean tool is Plan-Do-Check-Act, which is abbreviated PDCA. It's normal to first plan out the process of improvement. We then do what we said we were going to do. We follow by checking if the action we performed actually makes sense or a difference. We're trying to eliminate the problem from occurring again. If the check is completed, we act by standardizing the processes across the board, in multiple areas that make sense to replicate. The feedback loop is also very quick so that there is minimal waiting time. Here's an example of PDCA. I have to drive to work every day and it takes me close to an hour for me to get there. So first, I plan my trip, the route, the time I leave, the place I'm going to park, then I do it several times, which leads me to check the traffic, check the best route, and the best time to leave. Then finally, I act on my new standard. PDCA is the perfect compliment to Six Sigma's core five step methodology. In the next video, we'll take a closer look at how PDCA and Six Sigma combine to focus your team's efforts on delivering customer value.

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