Leaderboard

A3 Problem Solving: It’s a practice started in Toyota later adapted in lean methodology. There is a huge difference between the movies before the 1930 and after, yes your guess is rights its about the sound. The same logic applies when we discuss about the problem in shop floor with or without a Print / Soft copy document which describes the Problem status. To bridge the gap, A3 Problem solving tool in place. A Typical A3 Problem solving tool standard, looks as above. (The Yellow text box comments indicates “HOW TO”) The sequence of A3 tool as follows: 1) Theme or Brief about the problem (one or two line) 2) Current (initial condition) in a quantified way 3) Target, in specific 4) List of action with Plan vs Actual 5) Peformance indicators for visualing the progress 6) Closure with Signature This is is not a one time document, its to be used whenever required. It serves in following situation, during the problem solving for discussion, communicate to the team and then for learning (reference) for future. An unique nature in this tool, there is no specific time line to complete the standard. Based on the severity of the problem, shall differ. Although the A3 is typically on one page in size, there can be additional pages for backup documenting. A better processs to start, ask the project leader for a proposal using A3 without formatted layout and fine tune it with format for a noble A3. Also A3 (297mm x 420mm) tool, shall customize it to suit the requirement for solving any problem. Apart from the format & how to use it, further will discuss about how its helps for building a continuous improvement culture. The composite essence for building any continuous improvement culture are: i) Simple in use ii) Communication iii) Innovation / Kaizen All the above three components are well harmonized with A3. A3 – for usage its very simple, when compared to other tools A3 – Its ease to communicate a single A3 sheet, continuous improvement is a complicated “THE MINDSET” able to disrupt because of its minimal size when compared to other tools. A3 – Any innovation / kaizen able to fit in A3, may need a detailed back up its apart but when considering a quick, simple to prepare and ease to communicate A3 is well ahead.