What does Deming's PDCA cycle stand for?

Deming's PDCA cycle, which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act, is a foundational concept in quality management and continuous improvement practices. This cycle provides a systematic framework for improving processes and products through a repetitive four-step method.

In the "Plan" phase, objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the expected output are established. The "Do" phase involves implementing the plan and executing the process. During the "Check" phase, the outcomes are monitored to assess whether they align with the expected results. Finally, the "Act" phase entails taking actions based on the analysis of the data collected, where improvements are made to refine the processes.

This cyclical nature encourages ongoing enhancement and adaptation to achieve better results over time, making it an essential tool in the pursuit of quality management. The other choices do not accurately represent this established framework and its components, which is why they do not reflect the true definition of the PDCA cycle.