American Society for Quality Certification Practice Test

The "check" step of the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle is focused on observing and evaluating the effects of the changes that were implemented during the "do" phase. This step involves collecting data and analyzing outcomes to determine whether the changes have led to improvements. By observing the results, the team can assess the effectiveness of the actions taken and see if the objectives set during the "plan" phase were achieved. This reflective process is crucial for understanding the impact of changes and informing future actions, whether that be to standardize successful strategies or to make further modifications. The other answer choices do not accurately depict the objective of the "check" step. Determining causes and implementing changes, making changes and repeating tests, or deciding what changes might improve the process are components of other stages in the PDCA cycle, but they do not encapsulate the primary focus of the "check" step.