How to Use the PDCA Cycle to Solve Problems in Your Program
The PDCA cycle, also known as the Deming cycle or the Shewhart cycle, is a four-step method for continuous improvement and problem-solving…
How to Use the PDCA Cycle to Solve Problems in Your Program
The PDCA cycle, also known as the Deming cycle or the Shewhart cycle, is a four-step method for continuous improvement and problem-solving. It stands for Plan, Do, Check, and Act.
The PDCA cycle can help you identify root causes of issues, test possible solutions, evaluate results, and implement changes.
In this blog post, I will show you some examples of how you can use the PDCA cycle to fix issues that arise in your program.
Image by Luke Pivac, created on Bing 2024
What is a program?
A program is a collection of related projects that are managed in a coordinated way to achieve a common goal or benefit.
A program may have multiple teams, stakeholders, dependencies, risks, and deliverables.
A program may also follow a specific framework or methodology, such as agile, waterfall, or hybrid.
What is the agile waterline?
The agile waterline is a metaphor that describes the different levels of visibility and uncertainty in a program.
The waterline represents the boundary between what is known and what is unknown. Above the waterline are the aspects of the program that are clear, stable, and predictable. Below the waterline are the aspects of the program that are vague, dynamic, and uncertain.
The agile waterline can change over time as new information emerges or as the environment changes. The goal of agile program management is to reduce uncertainty and increase visibility by bringing more aspects of the program above the waterline.
See also my article on Agile program planning:
How to use the PDCA cycle above and below the waterline?
The PDCA cycle can be applied to any aspect of the program, whether it is above or below the waterline. However, the way you use the PDCA cycle may vary depending on the level of uncertainty and complexity involved.
Below the waterline, you may need to use more experimentation and learning to discover what works and what doesn’t.
You may also need to use shorter cycles and faster feedback loops to adapt quickly to changing conditions.
For example, in a scrum team, you can use a spike story to test your hypothesis on requirements needs for a story.
A spike story is a time-boxed exploration task that aims to answer a specific question or reduce uncertainty.
If the spike story is successful within the timebox of 3–5 days, then you can create further stories to refine your solution.
Above the waterline, you may need to use more planning and execution to deliver what is expected and agreed upon. You may also need to use longer cycles and more formal reviews to ensure quality and alignment.
For example, in a program, you can use a risk analysis and management process to identify, assess, prioritize, mitigate, and monitor risks that may affect your program objectives. A risk analysis and management process can follow the PDCA cycle as follows:
- Plan: Define your risk criteria, categories, sources, and methods.
- Do: Identify potential risks and their causes, effects, probabilities, and impacts.
- Check: Analyze and prioritize risks based on their severity and likelihood.
- Act: Develop and implement risk response strategies and plans.
The Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle. Image by Luke Pivac © 2022
Conclusion
The PDCA cycle is a powerful tool for continuous improvement and problem-solving in any context.
By applying the PDCA cycle to different aspects of your program, you can:
- increase your visibility.
- reduce your uncertainty, and
- achieve your goals more effectively.
Whether you are working above or below the waterline, remember to plan carefully, do experimentally, check critically, and act decisively.
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