Plan - Do - Study - Act  Click Here to download the PDSA Tool

PDSA Directions and Examples

The Plan-Do-Study-Act method is a way to test a change that is implemented.  By going through the prescribed four steps, it guides the thinking process into breaking down the task into steps and then evaluating the outcome, improving on it, and testing again.  Most of us go through some or all of these steps when we implement change in our lives, and we don’t even think about it.  Having them written down often helps people focus and learn more.

Keep the following in mind when using the PDSA cycles to implement the health literacy tools:

• Single Step - Each PDSA often contains only a segment or single step of the entire tool implementation.

• Short Duration - Each PDSA cycle should be as brief as possible for you to gain knowledge that it is working or not (some can be as short as 1 hour).

• Small Sample Size - A PDSA will likely involve only a portion of the practice (maybe 1 or 2 doctors).  Once that feedback is obtained and the process refined, the implementation can be broadened to include the whole practice.

  Lean Value Stream Map Tool