converge · Problem Solving, Planning · 60–180 min · An A3 owner, a mentor, and 1-4 contributors · low energy

A3 Problem Solving

One owner works a problem through on a single A3 sheet: background, current situation, goal, root-cause analysis, countermeasures, an implementation plan, and follow-up. The left side describes the problem; the right side the countermeasures and plan. A mentor coaches by asking questions rather than giving answers, and the sheet becomes the basis for conversations with everyone affected.

When to use A3 Problem Solving

Use when a real problem needs disciplined, fact-based thinking and agreement across people who see it differently.

What it solves

Problems get 'solved' in a meeting with a quick fix, and come back because nobody looked at the cause.

How to run A3 Problem Solving, step by step

  1. Name the owner and write the background: why this problem matters now (10 min).
  2. Draw the current situation, with facts and data from where the work happens (30 min).
  3. Set a specific goal or target (10 min).
  4. Analyse root causes with the people involved (30 min).
  5. List possible countermeasures and choose the best ones (20 min).
  6. Write the implementation plan: who, what, when (15 min).
  7. Agree how and when results will be checked, and review the A3 with the mentor and those affected (15 min, then later).

Materials needed

  • A3 paper or an A3 template
  • Pencils (it will change)
  • Data from the process

Facilitator tips

  • As mentor, ask questions. The owner's thinking is what is being developed.
  • Use the A3 to shift the conversation from who owns what to what is right.
  • Draw the current state; pictures beat paragraphs.

Common pitfalls

  • Filling in the template from a desk without going to see the work.
  • Jumping to countermeasures before the root cause is clear.

Variations

  • Proposal A3 for decisions, and status A3 for reporting progress.

Running it online or hybrid

A shared A3 template in a document or on a board works well. Keep it to one page.

What it produces

A one-page A3 with the problem, its analysis, chosen countermeasures, a who-what-when plan and follow-up checks.

Origin

A Toyota practice of putting a problem, its analysis, countermeasures and plan on a single A3 sheet. Documented by the Lean Enterprise Institute. — source

Build a session around A3 Problem Solving

METODIC places A3 Problem Solving inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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