PDSA + scientific method

["Dr A D Burns" <aburns@q-skills.com>]

We could also add "Scientific Method" to PDSA. Scientific Method
was espoused by Francis Bacon in 1620. It is essentially:

Induction of hypotheses based on observation (That is, the formulation of
generalisations based on a limited number fo specific events)
Deduction of the implications of the hypotheses (The reverse of induction.
Arriving at specific conclusions based on generalisations)
Testing the implications
Confirmation or disconfirmation of the hypotheses

In other words:

Define the problem
Formulate hypotheses
Collect data
Analyse data
Statement of conclusions regarding confirmation or disconfirmation of the
hypotheses.

The origins of induction and deduction may be traced further back to
Aristotle in 330BC.

Ed Tilden wrote:
"PDSA refers to the process of continual improvement and learning proposed
by
Walter Shewhart and espoused by W. Edwards Deming."

Dr Tony Burns
aburns@q-skills.com
www.q-skills.com