What is the main goal of the 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' cycle?

The 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' (PDCA) cycle is fundamentally designed as a framework for continuous improvement within organizations and processes. Its core objective is to foster a culture where regular reflection and evaluation lead to ongoing enhancements in operation outcomes.

In the 'Plan' step, teams identify an opportunity and plan for change. During the 'Do' phase, the change is implemented on a small scale to test its effectiveness. The 'Check' phase involves evaluating the results of the change against the expected outcomes. Finally, in the 'Act' phase, based on the results, teams either adopt the change, abandon it, or run through the cycle again for further refinement.

This iterative process lays the groundwork for organizations to consistently refine their practices, learn from what works and what doesn’t, and ultimately pursue excellence in their functions. Hence, the overarching goal of the PDCA cycle is to drive continuous improvement, making option B the correct response.

The other choices focus on specific aspects that may benefit from the PDCA cycle but do not capture its primary objective. For instance, while employee accountability may be a necessary component of successful improvement efforts, it is not the main goal of the cycle itself. Similarly, maximizing productivity or establishing marketing