Title: The PDCA cycle in practice: the experience of managing subjects of the administration course of the Federal University of Paraíba - UFPB - Campus I

Authors: Renan Felinto de Farias Aires; Camila Cristina Rodrigues Salgado; Kátia Virgínia Ayres

Addresses: Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, R. Salgado Filho 3000, Natal, RN, CEP 59072-970, Brazil ' Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, R. Salgado Filho 3000, Natal, RN, CEP 59072-970, Brazil ' Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, CEP 58059-900, Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this study is to relate the application of the PDCA cycle in the management of the subjects 'special topics in management - TEA IV' systems and methods - S&M of the administration course of the UFPB - Campus I. Besides that, this report, of a descriptive character and designed as an action research, also brought out a meticulous bibliography about the PDCA cycle. As a result, it was verified that the PDCA cycle provided an improvement in the management of the subjects; that its principles are applicable in services and processes that are present in public organisations; that teamwork is fundamental for the success of the application; and that the PDCA cycle can be used in the process management in universities. Therefore, it is believed that the continuity of this programme may become a beneficial strategy for the management of the subjects, maintaining the positive aspects and potentiating new benefits.

Keywords: PDCA cycle; quality management; higher education; course management; teamwork; process management; universities; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAOM.2014.066826

International Journal of Advanced Operations Management, 2014 Vol.6 No.4, pp.324 - 334

Published online: 14 Jan 2015 *

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