Which phase of the PDCA cycle involves evaluating the implementation of the plan?

The phase of the PDCA cycle that involves evaluating the implementation of the plan is CHECK. During this stage, the organization assesses the outcomes of the actions taken in the DO phase against the objectives established in the PLAN phase. This evaluation process allows for measuring effectiveness, identifying discrepancies in performance, and understanding whether the desired improvements are being achieved.

This reflective phase is critical for continuous improvement, as it informs what adjustments may be necessary before finalizing any modifications to the process or making further decisions. Hence, CHECK is essential for ensuring that the changes made are beneficial and aligned with the intended goals.

In contrast, the PLAN phase focuses on defining objectives and the approach to achieving them, the DO phase is about implementing the plan, and the ACT phase is centered on taking action based on the results from the CHECK phase. Understanding these distinctions helps in utilizing the PDCA cycle effectively for continuous improvement initiatives.