What is the difference between PDCA and PDSA?

The concept of PDCA is based on the scientific method. It was popularized by W. Edwards Deming. He later changed it to PDSA and called it Shewhart Cycle.

Both PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) and PDSA cycle (Plan, Do, Study, Act) are the iterative problem solving and continuous improvement approaches, where you make changes based on feedback from testing or observations of how things work. 

The idea behind PDCA or PDSA is that by making small adjustments over time, you can improve the process significantly.

The only difference in these two approaches is the third stage: Check vs. Study


To Check or to Study?

Checking involves comparing the results to the expected results. The question here is "How do the results compare to what was expected?".

Study of the other hand is the deeper introspection of results. The question here is "What can we learn based on the results ?". This involves in depth analysis of results, rather than just comparing them with the expected results.


Posted on August 1, 2021 by  Quality Gurus


Customers served! 1

Quality Management Course

FREE! Subscribe to get 52 weekly lessons. Every week you get an email that explains a quality concept, provides you with the study resources, test quizzes, tips and special discounts on our other e-learning courses.

Similar Posts:

September 4, 2020

Special Cause vs. Common Cause Variation

August 31, 2021

Stratified vs. Cluster Sampling

March 8, 2020

CQPA or CQIA – Which is Right for Me?

November 23, 2021

Difference and similarities between the Six Sigma DMAIC and DMADV methodologies

August 1, 2021

PDCA vs. PDSA

August 17, 2021

Histogram vs. Bar Chart

December 1, 2021

Managers vs. Leaders

June 9, 2022

The Difference Between Inspection And Audit

March 28, 2022

Quality Conscious vs. Quality Conscience: What’s the Difference?

32 Courses on SALE!