Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation Practice Exam

What is contained within the 'Do' stage of the Deming Cycle?

1. A gap analysis is performed

2. The actual implementation of the improvement initiative

3. Implementing the service improvements

4. Monitoring and reviewing the services

The correct answer is: The actual implementation of the improvement initiative

The 'Do' stage of the Deming Cycle, which is part of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework, primarily focuses on the actual execution of the improvement initiatives that were outlined in the 'Plan' stage. In this phase, the strategies and plans are translated into actionable tasks, where team members carry out the necessary activities to bring the planned improvements to fruition. This stage is crucial as it involves not just the theoretical aspects of a project but the hands-on implementation that directly impacts the effectiveness of the services being improved. The emphasis is on carrying out tasks as designed, which sets the foundation for the subsequent stages that involve checking the outcomes against the expectations and recalibrating if necessary. While monitoring and reviewing services occurs in the later stages of the cycle, and gap analysis and service improvements are part of the broader improvement process in different contexts, they do not specifically occur during the 'Do' phase. Thus, the correct understanding of the 'Do' stage encapsulates the execution of the plans laid out in the earlier cycle stage.