PDCA Is Not Enough: Deepening Act Through the Eightfold Path

PDCA is widely used as a cycle for business improvement, but in reality, the “Act (improve)” phase often becomes superficial and hollow. Many teams find themselves satisfied with the Plan and Do phases, skipping true improvement and jumping straight into the next plan.

In such situations, the ancient Buddhist teaching known as the Eightfold Path, introduced by the Buddha 2500 years ago, provides surprisingly relevant insights. The Eightfold Path is a set of eight principles for living rightly—and its essence is a philosophy of sustainable improvement.

8 Promises to Deepen Act

Healthcare Sector

• Right View: Understand not only the symptoms but the patient’s context.
• Right Intention: Aim for long-term wellness, not just short-term cures.
• Right Speech: Communicate accurately and compassionately with patients and families.
• Right Action: Commit to safe and ethical medical practices.
• Right Livelihood: Remember the mission of healthcare and avoid profit-first behavior.
• Right Effort: Stay updated with the latest medical knowledge and techniques.
• Right Mindfulness: Stay focused on the patient and avoid distractions during procedures.
• Right Concentration: Maintain emotional balance to manage stress and pressure.

Finance Sector

• Right View: Analyze market trends without bias or emotion.
• Right Intention: Focus on the client’s long-term financial goals over short-term gains.
• Right Speech: Be transparent about risks and build trust.
• Right Action: Ensure fair and transparent transactions.
• Right Livelihood: Prioritize client benefit over sales performance.
• Right Effort: Continuously improve financial literacy and proposal quality.
• Right Mindfulness: Stay calm in volatile markets and avoid panic.
• Right Concentration: Keep judgment clear even during market chaos.

Trading Company Sector

• Right View: Accurately grasp the real needs of business partners.
• Right Intention: Promote transactions with social responsibility, not just profit.
• Right Speech: Negotiate clearly and with integrity.
• Right Action: Avoid unethical business practices.
• Right Livelihood: Focus on long-term corporate value.
• Right Effort: Monitor international trends and seek new business opportunities.
• Right Mindfulness: Stay adaptable and open-minded.
• Right Concentration: Keep calm and focused even during difficult negotiations.

Automotive Development Sector

• Right View: Understand the true value sought by customers.
• Right Intention: Embrace sustainability by focusing on safety and environmental performance.
• Right Speech: Share development challenges honestly to find collective solutions.
• Right Action: Never compromise on quality and safety.
• Right Livelihood: Prioritize societal impact over immediate profit.
• Right Effort: Continuously pursue innovation and new technologies.
• Right Mindfulness: Be responsive to market and customer changes.
• Right Concentration: Maintain focus under pressure and stabilize the development process.

Conclusion

Don’t let PDCA become a mere formality. The true key lies in the quality of your “Act.”

Improvement is not just about changing actions—it’s about changing your way of being. May your PDCA evolve into a deeper and more sustainable journey.