In the PDCA cycle, the fourth and final stage is the one in which the evaluation of the data obtained in the Action stages is made and it is decided whether the improvement targets have been achieved. This stage aims to complete the cycle and ensure the sustainability of the achieved gains.
The Action stage according to the resources includes the following elements:
- Deciding whether the project is successful. According to the evaluation results in the Check stage, it is determined whether the planned targets have been achieved.
- Deciding whether the improvement targets have been achieved. The success criteria become clear at this stage.
- If the project is successful, taking the necessary measures to continue the achieved gains. This means standardizing successful practices and creating mechanisms that will ensure the same results in the future.
- If there are points of failure or deficiency, analyzing the reasons for these and planning and initiating the necessary corrective and preventive activities. This stage is of critical importance in terms of providing input for the lessons learned to future cycles.
- The main purpose of the quality management system is to reduce, eliminate and, more importantly, prevent errors and defects. The Action phase directly serves this purpose.
- In the context of the Higher Education Quality Board Graded Evaluation Key, the Precautionary phase refers to the planning and implementation of necessary corrective and remedial activities according to the obtained evaluation results. This includes the steps taken for the continuous improvement of quality assurance processes.
Research findings show that although the Plan and Doing phases are generally completed in Turkish universities, the Check and Precautionary phases are performed insufficiently. In fact, some participants stated that there are no practices for these stages. This situation constitutes a significant obstacle to the sustainability and permanence of improvement efforts.
In summary, the Precautionary phase of the PDCA cycle is a critical phase in which the obtained results are evaluated, successful practices are made permanent, the reasons for failures are analyzed and steps are taken to prevent similar problems in the future. This phase is of vital importance to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the continuous improvement cycle. Strengthening this phase in Turkish universities will contribute to the more efficient operation of quality processes.