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12/06/2011 03:56 PM
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In "Understanding A3 Thinking" (Sobek & Smalley) there is a practice problem solving A3. They walk you through a problem as you create your A3. Then, at the back of the book they provide an A3 solution to that problem.
It's a great exercise and I was wondering if anyone knows of other sources who provide small 1-2 page practice A3s along with solutions? I am looking for these to use in an A3 training class and would like them to take no more than 60 minutes.
Thank you for any help you can offer!
Steve
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12/07/2011 11:27 AM
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How about taking your class out to a real gemba and work on a real problem? Just a little one that can be solved quickly.
Classroom training for "problem solving" really does not reduce the amount of hands-on real-world experience needed to get proficient, so it is better to spend the time doing it for real with a good coach (which would be the instructor or coaching-proficient manager)
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12/07/2011 11:27 AM
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I am not familier with A3 can you enlighten me.
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12/07/2011 12:35 PM
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Michael, the short answer to your question is that A3 is a problem solving approach based on Deming's Plan - Do - Check - Act method.
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12/08/2011 08:55 PM
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I'm going to have to quibble with your short answer, Steve.
Yes, I know a lot of people see A3 as a "problem solving approach".
I think that view is somewhat off-target..
The problem solving approach, as you indicate, is Deming's Plan - Do - Check - Act method (PDCA).
A3 is, more specifically then, the method for documenting, standardizing, and quantifying PDCA itself.
People sometimes ask how you can quantify "organizational learning".
A3 is how Toyota quantifies it.
I'm also under the impression that Toyota uses A3 to enforce it's own "Lean" culture internally.
As I understand from contacts within Toyota North America, one of the ways Japan responded to the recent gas pedal fiasco, was to order a fresh round of A3 training throughout their North American organization.
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