Plan – Do – Check – Act/Adjust (PDCA)

 

The concept of planning, doing, checking, and acting or adjusting (PDCA) is not new to the pipeline industry. It first appeared in RP 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems, and has since been incorporated into new or revised API standards documents. At its core, PDCA is a cycle that enables efficiency and promoted continuous improvement throughout the cycle.

If you’re new to PDCA, think of how it may apply to everyday life. For example, if you’re preparing for a presentation, you may:

  1. Plan the content you will present,
  2. Deliver the information,
  3. Check for feedback during or after your presentation, and
  4. Using feedback received, maybe you plan to improve how you present that information next time.

Or, considering the cycle to make dinner, you may:

  1. Plan what you’re going to cook and identify which ingredients you already have and those you need to purchase,
  2. Cook and provide the meal, whether for yourself, friends or family,
  3. Solicit feedback from those eating the meal (including your own feedback), and
  4. Determine if the recipe is a keeper or one you won’t try again, or, perhaps, identify modifications for future meals.

Within the context of RP 1185, PDCA is aligned with the Six Elements of effective engagement outlined in the document:

Plan: Identify, understand, and confirm (Section 5); Plan and prepare (Section 6)

Do: Share information (Section 7); Ask, listen, and respond (Section 8)

Check: Monitor implementation and performance and evaluate program effectiveness (Section 9.1 – 9.4)

Act/Adjust: Commit and align (Section 4); Adjust program (Section 9.5)