Who is credited with the creation of the PDCA cycle?

The PDCA cycle, which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act, is credited to Walter A. Shewhart, who developed it as a method for continuous process improvement. Shewhart introduced the concept in the 1930s as a systematic approach to solving problems and enhancing quality in manufacturing processes. The cycle is designed to help organizations make informed decisions, implement changes, evaluate the outcomes, and standardize successful results.

While W. Edwards Deming played a significant role in popularizing the PDCA cycle and is often associated with it due to his work in quality management and operational excellence, the foundational concept originates from Shewhart's work. Joseph Juran and Kaoru Ishikawa made impactful contributions to quality management and improvement methodologies, but they did not create the PDCA cycle itself. Their teachings often align with and build upon the principles established by Shewhart.