Introduction
In all honesty is it nearly impossible to teach A3 Thinking on a
website versus the way we prefer in live circumstances. A3
Thinking by nature involves actual observations, collection of facts
and data points, interviews,analysis, and of course good problem
solving skills. In addition it normally requires the assistance of an
adviser for dialog, critique, feedback, and proper development of the
individual writing the report. These type of conditions are not
possible to duplicate in this medium. However, for the sake of
introducing the basic concepts and for learning purposes we will
highlight a sample exercise that one of the authors often uses for
initial training.
In order to appreciate the exercise you will need to step through a series of communications issued between Bob the learner and Tom Harada his supervisor and adviser and answer some questions at each step along the way. Since this exercise takes place during a business trip where the two parties are in separate locations the exchanges will take place in the form of e-mails / faxes exchanged between the two individuals for communication. The events are essentially from a real experiences that took place over fifteen years ago. The names, dates, and minor details have been changed etc. in order to turn it into a class room example of the A3 Thinking process. We hope that it will give you a realistic flavor of the overall concept and how it feels for new learners to create an initial one.
Preliminary Reading
The setting for this example is the start up of new engine plant
(called TMM) in the state of Kentucky. The head company has
successfully set up an assembly plant and is now looking to expand
operations in the components area. Bob and Tom work in Kamigo plant in
Aichi Prefecture that is in charge of checking up on the installation
of equipment which is mostly from Japan, implementing training for
skilled trades, ensuring the documentation and spare parts are in
place, and in general providing overall start up support during the
launch phase. Tom has a couple of decades of experience and has set up
several plants before and is currently in Japan tending to multiple
other assignments. Bob is a new employee in the company still in his
first year and has been sent to Kentucky to observe the start up for
training purposes and to provide some support where possible. Tom
requested that Bob send him a status report at the end of his first
week on site. The following exchanges are what occurred.
At the conclusion of the final exchange Bob was requested to create
an A3 for presentation purposes on his business trip and for when he
returned back to his home plant in Japan. If you are interested please
take a shot a writing an A3 report given the information and template
provided. Otherwise you can skip down and take a look at the sample
answers provided below. Click here for a
blank A3 Form
For those interested, below is a sample of what the drafted A3 might
look like for this example. There is no right or wrong answer here just
different ways of depicting the situation for the requested report.
# |
Main Sections
|
A3
Thinking Sample Exercise
|
I |
Background Information
|
|
II |
Current State
|
|
III |
Goals
|
|
IV |
Analysis
|
|
V |
Action
Items
|
|
VI |
Check of
Results
|
|
VII |
Follow
Up
|
Final Comments & Suggestions
These examples are by no means a the only possible answer for the
exercise. The focus is on both improvement and development of better
critical thinking skills on the part of the learner Bob as well as his
ability to communicate his findings in an efficient manner. If you have
a different or better way of writing up the requested report please
give it a try! This exercise is intended to briefly introduce the basic
components of A3 Thinking in a problem solving sequence. In reality
we'd need to probe even further and ask some more detailed questions
and be certain that the right countermeasures are implemented. This
summary represents a mid-point in the process where there is sufficient
material to communicate and exchange information now with other related
parties, etc.
Here are some additional questions that might help you improve your A3
skills on problem solving cases. Below are two lists of questions to
ask at each step of the A3 reports. For simplicity we have outlined
them in the form of an actual A3 so the Background, Current State,
Goal, and Analysis questions will be in the first document (left hand
side of the A3) and the action items, check, and follow up in the
second document for the right hand side of the A3. We hope this
encourages you to learn more about A3 Thinking and to try it on your
own.
If you are looking to review an A3 here are some basic questions to ask: