A) Plan B) Do C) Check D) Act E) Analyze F) Improve

If the word you are looking at doesn't fit into that simple four-step rhythm, it is likely part of another framework like Kaizen, Six Sigma, or Total Quality Management (TQM).

The confusion arises because continuous improvement is not monolithic. Organizations use multiple frameworks:

: Monitor and evaluate the results of the "Do" phase against expected outcomes.