What is the main purpose of the PDSA cycle?

The primary purpose of the PDSA cycle, which stands for Plan-Do-Study-Act, is to test a change or intervention in a controlled way. This method allows teams to execute small-scale tests to understand the effects of a change before implementing it on a larger scale. Through this iterative process, teams can develop hypotheses, implement them, collect data, and analyze the results to determine the effectiveness of the change.

Using the PDSA cycle fosters a systematic approach to quality improvement, enabling organizations to refine processes based on real-world outcomes rather than assumptions. By testing changes on a small scale, teams are better equipped to identify what works, what doesn’t, and make informed decisions about future implementations.

The other options highlight important aspects of performance and data management but do not capture the main thrust of the PDSA cycle. While evaluating performance metrics and comparing historical data can be essential for understanding a system's state, these activities do not encapsulate the dynamic and testing nature of the PDSA approach. Distributing information is important for communication but is not a central function of the PDSA cycle itself.