Solving Problems
with A3 Thinking

What is A3 thinking?

A3 problem-solving is a lean method developed and used extensively by Toyota to foster learning, collaboration and personal growth in staff. It’s a structured and disciplined technique that avoids ‘jumping to solutions’ and continually firefighting.

  • Duration: 2 days

  • Location: You can take part in this hands-on training at one of our regional venues – or we can tailor the course specifically for on-site delivery at your business premises.
Solving Problems with A3 Thinking

Who is the course for?

The training is ideal for anyone who wants to solve and eradicate problems in their organisation, regardless of their role or level.

It’s especially useful for leaders and first-line managers who want to improve their abilities to lead and coach their teams to effectively solve problems.

The course will benefit you and your organisation if:

  • You see recurring problems within your business

  • You and your team spend time reacting to issues and rarely get time to study and resolve them for the long term

  • Your organisation lacks a structured approach to solving problems

  • You wish more people had time to invest in preventative problem-solving by learning from the problems and then sharing that learning with others

Course objectives

Our Solving Problems with A3 Thinking training will teach you:

  • The concepts of structured and practical problem-solving
  • The importance of using data and facts when solving problems
  • How to use and apply the 7 Quality Tools to capture data
  • How to create a visual storyboard using A3 thinking

Course outline

  • The importance of culture, welcoming problems and how team composition unlocks critical thinking
  • The definition of a problem and how to clearly define a problem
  • Basic problem-solving models and how they’re connected
  • The 7 Quality Tools and when to use them
  • The importance of Go, Look, See, and questioning
  • Identifying the three types of cause and how to differentiate them
  • What a containment action is – and how it can protect a customer
  • Common mistakes when using the 5 Whys technique
  • How to ensure effective countermeasures are deployed
  • The need for process confirmation
  • Sharing the learning and celebrating success

By the end of the training, you’ll be able to:

  • Welcome mistakes as opportunities and have confidence in decision-making by following a scientific method of problem-solving
  • Understand how the A3 system of problem management and escalation can improve your organisation and how it performs
  • Avoid the pitfalls of jumping to solutions
  • Follow a structured, disciplined problem-solving process in your organisation
  • Develop root cause analysis (RCA) and A3 thinking to reduce firefighting and workarounds

What’s included in the course fee?

  • Access to globally recognised lean coaches
  • All copies of materials, worksheets and handouts – electronically

  • Entry-level knowledge for you to progress to Lean Competency System Levels 1a and 1b

Pricing

£749 + VAT per delegate (contact us for details of discounts for multiple participants and our payment plans).

Get started or find out more

Complete the enquiry form and we’ll get in touch to set up a free, no-obligation call.


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