What is the purpose of the 'Study' phase in the PDSA cycle?

• A. Analyze results from the small-scale test to inform refinement
• B. Plan and prepare the next cycle
• C. Implement the change organization-wide
• D. Analyze results from a large-scale rollout

Answer: (A)

In the PDSA cycle, the Study phase is where you examine what happened during the small-scale test, compare the results to what you predicted, and determine what you learned about the change. This step focuses on understanding the data, identifying whether the changes produced the expected improvements, and uncovering reasons behind any discrepancies. The goal is to use these insights to refine the change before trying it again on a larger scale, increasing the likelihood of success in the next cycle. Planning the next cycle happens in the Plan phase, implementing the change is the Do phase, and evaluating results from a large-scale rollout belongs to broader implementation activities rather than the small-test learning focus of Study.