Who is credited with creating the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle?

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle is primarily credited to Walter Shewhart, who developed the concept in the early 20th century as a tool for quality control. Shewhart's work laid the foundation for statistical quality control, and he introduced the idea of using a systematic process to improve various aspects of production and operations.

The PDCA cycle itself represents a continuous improvement model that encourages organizations to plan for changes, implement those changes, assess their impact, and adjust accordingly based on what was learned. This iterative approach is crucial for fostering a culture of continuous improvement in quality management.

Although W. Edwards Deming popularized the PDCA cycle and integrated it into his teachings on quality management, especially in the context of improving organizations, the original development and naming of the cycle can be traced back to Shewhart. This is why Walter Shewhart is credited with the creation of the PDCA cycle.