What is the focus of the 'Study' phase in the PDSA model?

The focus of the 'Study' phase in the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) model is to analyze data and information. This phase is critical for understanding the impact of the changes made in the 'Do' phase. During 'Study', teams assess whether the changes leading from the implemented plan resulted in the desired outcomes. This involves comparing the actual outcomes against the expected results, looking for patterns or unexpected outcomes, and gaining insights based on the data collected.

Through this analysis, organizations can learn what worked, what didn’t, and why. It’s a reflective process where evidence is used to ascertain the effectiveness of the action taken and to inform whether further adjustments are necessary before moving on to the 'Act' phase. This rigorous evaluation is essential to ensure that decisions made in subsequent steps are grounded in evidence, thereby enhancing the overall process of continuous improvement.