The Plan Do Study Act cycle (PDSA cycle)

Print and carry this checklist with you. Use it with every small cycle of change. Share your checklist with others.

Don’t lose your focus on the patient / client; the improvement is to bring about better care
Keep it small – that way change is achievable
Keep it simple
Try to link the elements you choose for a PDSA cycle that are linked with the tools on this website, so that you work on introducing elements of care which, when all undertaken together, are proven to make a difference.

It is a simple approach that anyone can apply
It reduces risk by starting small
Changes can be focused at the operational level around a team’s needs
It supports rapid cycles of improvement
It is highly effective, since changes are quick and immediately evident
It is a powerful tool for learning. Ideas that don't work are as helpful to learning as those that do
It involves people in testing and developing ideas so they are usually more enthusiastic about implementation
This approach can also be used to support the implementation of large scale strategic plans.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland took over the responsibilities of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland on 1st April 2011.