What describes the Deming method for continuous improvement?

The Deming method for continuous improvement is encapsulated in the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. This iterative four-step management method is designed to encourage continual improvement in processes and products.

The "Plan" phase involves identifying an opportunity for improvement and planning for change. In the "Do" phase, the plan is implemented on a small scale to test its effectiveness. The "Check" phase requires evaluating the results of the test against the expected outcomes to determine if the changes achieved the desired improvement. Finally, in the "Act" phase, the process is standardized and institutionalized if successful, or revised and retested if it did not yield the expected results.

Overall, the PDCA cycle exemplifies a systematic approach to problem-solving, ensuring that changes lead to improved performance and are sustained over time. This cyclical nature of the PDCA process is a fundamental aspect of quality management and continuous improvement philosophies promoted by Deming.

In contrast, other options like cost of quality analysis, process maps, and tree diagrams serve different purposes in quality management and analysis. They might contribute to understanding or detailing processes, but they do not embody Deming's holistic approach to continuous improvement in the structured way that the PDCA cycle does