Quality Improvement Strategies: Deming Cycle (PDSA), Six Sigma, and Lean

Quality Improvement Strategies
Student's Name
Institution
Quality Improvement Strategies

QI Strategy Overview

Advantage

Disadvantage

PDSA

PDSA is also referred to as the Deming cycle, and its primary focus is the continuous improvement of a process or a product (Crowfoot & Prasad, 2017). PDSA seeks to establish a causal or functional link between changes in processes and outcomes (Hughes, 2008).

PDSA is considered an effective data collection method because it collects just enough data for future cycles (Crowfoot & Prasad, 2017).
PDSA cycle is also characterized by an iterative nature that reduces resistance during change implementation (Crowfoot & Prasad, 2017).

A key disadvantage of the strategy lies in execution. According to Crowfoot and Prasad (2017), it isn't easy to execute it authentically.

Six Sigma

Six Sigma is a QI strategy that involves the improvement, design, and monitoring of a process to reduce or do away with waste while at the same time enhancing satisfaction and boosting financial stability (Hughes, 2008). This model has similarities with the PDSA. The PDSA's plan phase resembles Six Sigma's definition of core processes, customer requirements, and key customers.

Six Sigma is characterized by a data-driven methodology, which means accuracy and objectivity (Antony, 2012).
Also, there is a huge amount of literature to support its implementation.

Its implementation requires huge investment, which can be costly to a healthcare organization. (Antony, 2012)
The attainment of goals requires long-term and sustained commitment from members of an organization.

Toyota/Lean
Production System

While there is an overlap between Lean and Six Sigma, the former is primarily driven by customer needs identification. Lean seeks to improve processes through the elimination of non-value-added activities. As noted by Hughes (2008), the model's steps aim to maximize value-added activities in an optimal sequence to allow continuity of operations.

It increases the effectiveness of patient care while at the same time reducing costs. Implementing the Lean system in healthcare is associated with a better quality of healthcare and improved patient safety (Hughes, 2008).

The strategy is characterized by a lack of focus on human capital, which according to Mishra and Chakraborty (2014), has limited its implementation success by organizations.

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