Generating Value through A3 Thinking.
A3 originated with Toyota, due to efforts to get reporting to a concise, one-page, 11”x17” (A3 size) sheet of paper. These days, it includes much more and is known as A3 Thinking or Lean Thinking. Foundationally, A3 Thinking can be thought of as being supported by problems solving, mentoring and coaching, communication, and collaboration. There are seven key elements to A3 Thinking.
Seven Elements of A3 Thinking:
- Logical Thinking Process – using scientific method and PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) to get to the root cause
- Objectivity – use of facts and data to define the problem
- Results and Process – balancing between methodology and achieving results
- Synthesis, Visualization, Distillation– concise visual display of the information and data
- Alignment – having consensus of the problem causes and countermeasures
- Coherency Within and Consistency Across – results in a linkage to the root cause, countermeasures, company goals, and departmental/functional goals
Systems Viewpoint – impact of countermeasures
The problem-solving methodology used in A3 Thinking is based on the continuous improvement cycle known as the Deming Cycle or PDCA. While the Deming Cycle from the 1950’s included actions and activities conducted in each of the four phases, I would like to apply the phases in alignment to the flow through described in the following image of an A3 Report.
The A3 Report resides on an 11”x17” sheet of paper; it may be used for various purposes, including problem solving, proposals, design efforts, and more. However, it typically is built in the layout above. While the A3 report of the past has been a living document using paper and pencil, many A3 reports today take the form of an Excel or PowerPoint template. The keys are the A3 Thinking and the PDCA methodology. By putting A3 Thinking together with PDCA and the A3 Report, you now have a powerful problem-solving approach, which can be used at all levels of the organization to solve problems, and to report on the status and progress.
Benefits of A3 Thinking include:
- Consistent approach with common language
- Improved problem solving, decision making, and reduced risks
- Improved customer satisfaction with quality results
- Faster cycle times with less waste at a reduced cost
- Improved speed and sustainment of problem resolutionImproved culture, employee engagement, and problem solving
- Utilizing this consistent, powerful, and proven approach results in strengthening the capabilities of the workforce, accelerating the speed to resolution of problem solving, and the generation of valuable results.
Value Generation Partners wishes you much success in your pursuit of A3 “Lean” Thinking, thereby generating greater value in your organization!
A3 Thinking is useful in combination with other LinkedIn Pulse posts found at this link.
Find more on related topics in Operational Excellence Handbook, which is available on Lulu.com and other book distributors in paperback and eBook. With the purchase of any handbook, the reader has access to a companion toolbox file containing all referenced templates.