Recall (expectation hit-rate)

Recall is pdsa’s one-number summary of how well work is meeting the expectations it sets for itself.

Definition

recall = met / (cycles that have a verdict)

• The numerator counts cycles whose Study verdict was met.
• The denominator counts only cycles that were actually judged — a cycle with no study yet doesn’t drag the rate down.

So a recall of 7/14 (50%) means: of 14 cycles that reached a verdict, 7 fully met their expected outcome.

Where it shows up

pdsa status    # recent cycles + the hit-rate
pdsa eval      # per-cycle expected / verdict / actual, then the hit-rate
pdsa view      # a live hit-rate badge in the viewer

How to read it

Recall is a learning signal, not a grade. A lower number isn’t inherently bad — it often means you’re setting genuinely uncertain, falsifiable expectations (which is the point). Watch the trend across cycles and whether partial/unmet results are being reinforced into follow-up cycles rather than dropped.

Note

Because the denominator is “cycles with a verdict,” recall only moves when you actually run pdsa study. Recording a Plan and Do without a Study leaves the cycle unjudged and out of the ratio.

Related: Expected → Verdict → Reinforce.