Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)

Apply PDCA cycle for continuous improvement through iterative problem-solving and process optimization.

Description

Four-phase iterative cycle: Plan (identify and analyze), Do (implement changes), Check (measure results), Act (standardize or adjust). Enables systematic experimentation and improvement.

Usage

/plan-do-check-act [improvement_goal]

Variables

• GOAL: Improvement target or problem to address (default: prompt for input)
• CYCLE_NUMBER: Which PDCA iteration (default: 1)

Steps

Phase 1: PLAN

1. Define the problem or improvement goal
2. Analyze current state (baseline metrics)
3. Identify root causes (use /why or /cause-and-effect)
4. Develop hypothesis: "If we change X, Y will improve"
5. Design experiment: what to change, how to measure success
6. Set success criteria (measurable targets)

Phase 2: DO

1. Implement the planned change (small scale first)
2. Document what was actually done
3. Record any deviations from plan
4. Collect data throughout implementation
5. Note unexpected observations

Phase 3: CHECK

1. Measure results against success criteria
2. Compare to baseline (before vs. after)
3. Analyze data: did hypothesis hold?
4. Identify what worked and what didn't
5. Document learnings and insights

Phase 4: ACT

1. If successful: Standardize the change
   • Update documentation
   • Train team
   • Create checklist/automation
   • Monitor for regression
2. If unsuccessful: Learn and adjust
   • Understand why it failed
   • Refine hypothesis
   • Start new PDCA cycle with adjusted plan
3. If partially successful:
   • Standardize what worked
   • Plan next cycle for remaining issues

Examples

Example 1: Reducing Build Time