PDCA is the very first, fundamental tool in your arsenal in implementing improvement. Simply put, PDCA is a way to reduce reliance on chance, and move from a reactive problem-solving model to a more proactive approach. This is a methodology that I have used many times with good success in both business and photography scenarios so it seemed like a good subject to share.
The original concept was made popular by statistician Edwards Deming, the father of modern quality management. PDCA is quite easy to understand and quite easy to carry out, follow the four-step cycle as in the diagram above.

P is for Plan

Think about what you want to photograph. Research this on the internet, on YouTube or in books and magazines and work out how you do it in your camera. Look at good examples of this type of work, see what makes them good and copy it if need be, you can refine your own style later. Be detailed in putting together your plan.

D is for Do

Get together the equipment / subjects / backdrops / props / etc that you need, set some time up to do it and shoot it, try varying lighting, compositions, camera angles, etc. As no plan is ever completely perfect, make sure you make a list of problems as you encounter them, and how you responded to them.

C is for Check

Now compare your resulting images to those that you looked at in step 1, what are the differences, are yours as good? Understand why and how they differ and maybe what you can do to improve them. Be critical and pay attention to detail.

A is for Act

With your new found skills / experience do it again and apply the lessons learned but stay focused on the job in hand.

Repeat this PDCA cycle until you really start to understand what the outcomes of the steps are and how they affect the resulting images. Do not skip any of the steps, be thorough in each one and practice, practice, practice…