Which concept involves testing ideas for change on a small scale?

The concept of testing ideas for change on a small scale is best represented by PDSA cycles, which stands for Plan-Do-Study-Act. This iterative process allows teams to implement changes on a limited scale to assess their impact before making larger adjustments.

By following this cycle, teams can systematically analyze the results of their small-scale tests, gather data, and use that information to inform further decision-making. The focus on small-scale testing ensures that organizations can experiment with innovations or changes in their processes while minimizing risk and resource expenditure.

In contrast, Six Sigma methodology emphasizes reducing variation and improving quality through statistical methods but does not specifically focus on small-scale testing of ideas. Lean management concentrates on eliminating waste and streamlining processes rather than the iterative testing of changes. Benchmarking practices involve comparing performance metrics to industry standards or best practices, which does not directly relate to the small-scale testing of changes. Therefore, PDSA cycles are uniquely suited to this concept.