What does the 'PLAN' step in the PDSA cycle emphasize?

The 'PLAN' step in the PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle is crucial as it places a strong emphasis on identifying desired outcomes. In this phase, practitioners focus on determining specific goals that the change initiative aims to achieve. This involves outlining what you want to accomplish, establishing the metrics for success, and developing a clear hypothesis about how the changes will lead to improvement. By clearly defining these outcomes, individuals can create a targeted approach that guides the subsequent steps in the cycle and helps ensure that the changes implemented are aligned with the desired objectives. This foundational step enables a structured methodology for ongoing improvement efforts, ensuring that all actions taken in the later stages of the PDSA are directed toward achieving these goals.