Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, also known as the Deming Cycle or Shewhart Cycle.

This
iterative management method is widely used for continuous improvement in various fields. Here’s a
concise explanation

1. Plan (P):
o Define the problem or goal: Identify what needs improvement.
o Analyze the situation: Gather data, understand the current state, and set
objectives.
o Develop a plan: Create a strategy to achieve the desired outcome.
2. Do (D):
o Implement the plan: Execute the planned changes.
o Collect data: Monitor the process during implementation.
3. Check ©:
o Evaluate results: Compare the actual outcomes with the expected ones.
o Analyze data: Assess whether the changes led to improvement.
o Identify deviations: Understand any discrepancies.
4. Act (A):
o Adjust or standardize: Based on the evaluation, make necessary adjustments.
o Document lessons learned: Capture insights for future cycles.
o Repeat the cycle: Continue refining and improving.

Remember, the PDCA cycle promotes a systematic approach to problem-solving and continuous
enhancement. It’s a powerful tool for organizations and individuals

“7” Quality Management Principles

1. Customer Focus (QMP 1):

o Statement: The primary focus of quality management is to meet customer
requirements and strive to exceed customer expectations.
o Rationale: Sustained success is achieved when an organization attracts and
retains the confidence of customers and other interested parties.
o Key Benefits:
 Increased customer value.
 Enhanced customer satisfaction.
 Improved customer loyalty.
 Enhanced reputation of the organization.
 Expanded customer base.
 Increased revenue and market share.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Recognize both direct and indirect customers.
 Understand current and future customer needs.
  Align organizational objectives with customer expectations.
 Communicate customer needs throughout the organization.
 Plan, design, produce, and deliver goods and services that meet customer
requirements.
 Measure and monitor customer satisfaction.
2. Leadership (QMP 2):
o Statement: Leaders at all levels establish unity of purpose and direction, creating
conditions where people engage in achieving the organization’s quality
objectives.
o Rationale: Effective leadership drives alignment and commitment toward quality
goals.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Foster unity of purpose.
 Engage employees in quality objectives.
 Set a clear direction for quality initiatives.
3. Engagement of People (QMP 3):
o Statement: Organizations thrive when people are actively involved in achieving
quality objectives.
o Rationale: Engaged employees contribute to organizational success.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Empower employees.
 Encourage participation.
 Invest in training and development.
4. Process Approach (QMP 4):
o Statement: Managing processes as a system leads to efficiency and effectiveness.
o Rationale: Processes drive results.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Understand and optimize processes.
 Identify interdependencies.
 Monitor performance.
5. Improvement (QMP 5):
o Statement: Continual improvement is essential for sustained success.
o Rationale: Organizations evolve through ongoing enhancements.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Foster a culture of improvement.
 Regularly assess and enhance processes.
6. Evidence-Based Decision Making (QMP 6):
o Statement: Decisions should be informed by data and evidence.
o Rationale: Data-driven decisions lead to better outcomes.
o Actions You Can Take:
 Collect and analyze relevant data.
 Base decisions on evidence.
7. Relationship Management (QMP 7):
o Statement: Effective relationships with customers, suppliers, and other
stakeholders contribute to organizational success.
o Rationale: Strong relationships enhance collaboration and mutual benefit.
 o Actions You Can Take:
 Actively manage relationships.
 Understand stakeholder needs.

Remember, these principles are not listed in priority order and can be adapted to an
organization’s unique context. Applying these principles fosters a culture of quality and
continuous improvement.

Process and the Process approach in the context of quality management:

1. Process:
o A process is a set of interrelated or interacting activities that transform
inputs into outputs. It represents how work is done within an organization.
o Key characteristics of processes:
 Inputs: Processes receive inputs (such as raw materials,
information, or resources).
 Activities: Processes involve specific tasks, steps, or actions.
 Transformation: Inputs are transformed into desired outputs.
 Outputs: Processes produce results or deliverables.
 Feedback: Processes often have feedback loops for improvement.
o Examples of processes:
 Manufacturing: Production line assembly, quality control.
 Service: Customer support, order fulfillment.
 Administrative: Payroll processing, document approval.
2. Process Approach:
o The process approach is a fundamental principle of quality management. It
emphasizes managing and improving processes to achieve organizational
objectives.
o Key aspects of the process approach:
 System Perspective: Viewing an organization as a network of
interconnected processes.
 Customer Focus: Aligning processes with customer needs and
expectations.
 Continuous Improvement: Regularly assessing and enhancing
processes.
 Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data to make informed
choices.
 Risk-Based Thinking: Identifying and managing risks within
processes.
o Benefits of adopting the process approach:
 Efficiency: Streamlined operations lead to resource optimization.
 Effectiveness: Processes aligned with goals yield better outcomes.
 Consistency: Standardized processes ensure consistent results.
 Adaptability: Agile processes respond to changing conditions.
 Learning: Processes provide insights for improvement.
In summary, the process approach encourages organizations to view their
activities holistically, continuously refine processes, and prioritize customer
satisfaction. By doing so, they can achieve excellence and adapt to evolving

challenges! 🔄🌟