Which sequence correctly expands the PDCA cycle?

• A. Plan, Do, Check, Act
• B. Plan, Check, Do, Act
• C. Do, Plan, Check, Act
• D. Check, Plan, Do, Act

Answer: (A)

The PDCA cycle goes Plan, Do, Check, Act. You start with planning to define objectives, design the process, identify resources, and set how you’ll measure success. Then you implement that plan in the Do phase, putting the plan into action on a small scale or in a trial run. Next comes Check, where you measure and analyze the actual results to see if they meet the expected goals. Finally, you take Act by making changes based on what you learned—pushing successful improvements forward and refining the plan, which starts the cycle again. This order creates a true feedback loop: action is followed by evaluation and then adjustments, rather than attempting to act or change without evidence. The other sequences disrupt this flow by placing checks or actions before you’ve implemented or evaluated the plan.