Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M3607

Deming Cycle

Deming Cycle
BusinessHigh supportManagement
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

PDCA (plan–do–check–act), sometimes called plan–do–check–adjust is an iterative design and management method used in business for the control and continual improvement of processes and products. It is also known as the Shewhart cycle, or the control circle/cycle. Another version of this PDCA cycle is OPDCA. The added O stands for observation or as some versions say: "Observe the current condition."

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

PDCA (plan–do–check–act), sometimes called plan–do–check–adjust is an iterative design and management method used in business for the control and continual improvement of processes and products. It is

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

It is the PDCA cycle, emphasizing that "improvement is a never-ending process" rather than a one-time project. Each cycle converts the results of "Act" into the input for the next "Plan," enabling the organization's capabilities to evolve continuously along a spiral. It institutionalizes the trial-and-error thinking of scientific experiments.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/4

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
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Source support: Explicit

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