Which of the following phases is NOT part of the Shewhart Cycle?

The Shewhart Cycle, also known as the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, is a foundational concept in quality management that focuses on continuous improvement through a structured approach. The phases of this cycle include planning an improvement, implementing the plan, checking or evaluating the results, and then acting on what has been learned to refine and enhance the process.

The phase known as "Evaluate" is not a part of the Shewhart Cycle. While evaluation is certainly an important concept in quality improvement and management, in the context of the Shewhart Cycle, this phase is effectively captured within the "Check" phase. During the Check phase, the results of the implementation are assessed to determine if the objectives of the Plan phase have been met. Thus, the concept of evaluation is inherent within the activities conducted in the Check phase.

Including "Evaluate" as a distinct phase implies a redundancy in the process and does not align with the terminology or process framework established by Walter A. Shewhart. Understanding the correct components of the Shewhart Cycle helps clarify the structured approach to continuous quality improvement.