Which of the following represents the four stages of the PDCA cycle?

The four stages of the PDCA cycle, which stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act, are integral to continuous improvement processes in quality management. This cycle helps organizations systematically test changes and processes, ensuring that improvements are based on data-driven decisions.

In the first stage, "Plan," objectives and processes are defined to deliver results in alignment with the organization's goals. The "Do" stage involves implementing the plan and executing the process on a small scale to test its efficacy. Following implementation, the "Check" stage assesses the results against the expected outcomes, analyzing what worked and what didn’t. Finally, in the "Act" stage, adjustments are made based on the evaluation to improve the process continuously, and the cycle may begin again with further planning.

This framework is essential for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and effective quality management, making it a cornerstone concept in organizational excellence and quality practices. The other options do not represent established stages of the PDCA cycle, making them not applicable in this context.