Plan Do Study Adjust- The Engine of Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is of necessity in the very DNA of our shops.

Continuous improvement is in our DNA

Continuous improvement is in our DNA

In ISO 9000:2000 Section 8.5.1 read :

The organization shall continually improve the effectiveness of the quality management system through the use of the quality policy, quality objectives, audit results, analysis of data, corrective and preventive action, and management review. 

In TS16949:2009 it read:

8.5.1.1 Continual Improvement of the Organization

The organization must define a process for continual improvement .

8.5.1.2 Manufacturing Process Improvement

Manufacturing process improvement must continually focus on control and reduction of variation in product characteristics and manufacturing process parameters.

The standard defined continual improvement as : “recurring activity to increase the ability to fulfill requirements.”

Recurring activity. To me that means cycle.

It is not a wheel, PDSA is a continuous cycle of cycles!

It is not a wheel, PDSA is a continuous cycle of cycles!

Karen Martin shared this graphical representation of PDSA in her book The Outstanding Organization.

Plan. Do. Study. Adjust.

This is the process of continuous (continual) improvement.

Plan. Do. Study. Adjust.

It’s what we do.

If this sounds familiar, it is because I first wrote about this here Karen Martin

DNA Photocredit

3 Responses to Plan Do Study Adjust- The Engine of Continuous Improvement

  1. Dan says:

    Miles. Spot on. Might I add that, through the Kata, PDSA (or PDCA) is something that is to be practiced EVERY DAY.

  2. PDSA. Every. Day. Better and Better. Sounds like a process for continuous Improvement to me, Dan.

  3. It sounds good; what does one do when Study-Adjust nets zero results or solutions? This is where the adolescents and adults are separated. One may pontificate upon the issue and even have brainstorming meetings until the cows come home; and still no solution.

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