1 of 2

Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) planning worksheet

Aim: (big = what is the overall goal you are trying to achieve i.e. your SMART Objective? Small = what is the first step?)

Big aim

 

Small aim

 

Describe what your first test of change will be (Every goal will require multiple tests of change)

Person responsible

When will the test take place?

Where will the test take place

 

 

 

 

 

Plan:

List the tasks needed to set up this test of change (include getting ready to measure)

Person responsible

When will it be done?

Update

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do:

Study:

Describe what actually happened when you ran your test (note any unexpected events or problems)

Describe your results and how they compared to your prediction

 

 

 

Act:

 

From your learning above, what modifications you will make to your plan for the next cycle of tests

 

2 of 2

Why?

Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) is an approach for introducing change through small tests and then scaling up to full implementation once the idea has been sufficiently tested. Use this template to plan each of your individual tests of change throughout your project

How:

  1. List your overall aim first – your SMART aim
  2. Now list your smaller testing aim next
  3. Now describe your test of change and the specifics i.e. who, when and where will the test take place
  4. Fill out the Plan section with the specific details
  5. Then Do the change and reflect on this in the ‘Do’ section
  6. Now study the change impact and note findings in the ‘Study’ section
  7. Act: this is where you decide on what to modify and whether to continue testing this change idea – adapt, adopt or abandon it.

Why and How to use this tool