What does PDCA stand for in the theory of Total Quality Management (TQM)?

The Plan-do-check-act cycle is a four-step model for carrying out change. Just as a circle has no end, the PDCA cycle should be repeated again and again for continuous improvement. The PDCA cycle is considered a project planning tool.

Key Points

• Plan: Recognize an opportunity and plan a change.
• Do: Test the change. Carry out a small-scale study.
• Check: Review the test, analyze the results, and identify what you’ve learned.
• Act: Take action based on what you learned in the study step. If the change did not work, go through the cycle again with a different plan. If you were successful, incorporate what you learned from the test into wider changes. Use what you learned to plan new improvements, beginning the cycle again

Additional Information 

• A core definition of total quality management (TQM) describes a management approach to long-term success through customer satisfaction.
• In a TQM effort, all members of an organization participate in improving processes, products, services, and the culture in which they work.
• Total quality management consists of organization-wide efforts to "install and make permanent climate where employees continuously improve their ability to provide on demand products and services that customers will find of particular value.

Hence PDCA stands for Plan, Do, Check, Act.