Integrating The PDCA Cycle for Continuous Improvement and Academic Quality Enhancement in Higher Education

Assuring academic quality against accreditation standards remains a priority for universities worldwide. Whilst academic quality is extensively studied, a gap exists in how universities approach the challenge of meeting ‘one-size-fits-all’ standards. This article discusses how an Australian university integrated the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle into its course and subject design, development, and review processes. Doing so enabled systematic data collection, analysis, identification of improvement opportunities, implementation of planned actions, and the continuous enhancement of courses and subjects. The aims of this work are: 1. Provide a background of the PDCA cycle. 2. Exemplify how the PDCA cycle may be integrated as a quality enhancement tool in the higher education sector. 3. Emphasise the value of universities adopting collaborative, data-informed approaches towards quality assurance. 4. Overview of universities adapting the cycle globally in other contexts for comparison 5. Encourage universities to share how they address the challenge of meeting ‘one-size-fits-all’ standards.