What is the first step in Dr. W. Edwards Deming's PDCA cycle?

The first step in Dr. W. Edwards Deming's PDCA cycle is the Plan Phase. This phase involves identifying a problem or opportunity for improvement and planning a change or experiment to test. It requires gathering data and understanding the current situation before proposing a solution.

In this phase, organizations engage in critical thinking to define objectives, set goals, and outline the processes necessary to achieve desired outcomes. It lays the foundation for the subsequent steps of the cycle, which involve implementing the plan (Do), checking the results against expectations (Check), and taking action based on what has been learned (Act). The effectiveness of the entire cycle hinges on a well-planned and thoughtfully executed first step, making the Plan Phase essential to the continuous improvement process.