Which phase of the PDSA cycle comes immediately after testing changes?

In the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle, the phase that comes immediately after testing changes is to act on what you learn. This is a crucial step where you analyze the data collected during the "Study" phase, which follows the "Do" phase where changes were tested.

During the "Act" phase, teams evaluate the outcomes of the test, determining what worked well and what did not. They decide whether to adopt the change, abandon it, or conduct further tests for refinement. This action is based on evidence gathered from the testing, making it a critical moment for reflection and informed decision-making. If the results indicate that a change improved the process or outcomes, it will likely be standardized and implemented more broadly.

The other phases mentioned have distinct roles within the cycle. "Plan a test of change" involves strategizing before the test, "Implement changes" refers to the execution of accepted improvements, and "Identify changes" focuses on recognizing potential changes that could be tested. However, none of these steps follow the testing phase as directly as the act of applying learned insights does.