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Velaction Training System

A3 Thinking Fundamentals Training Module

Our A3 Thinking Fundamentals Training Module is part of our Velaction Training System.

PowerPoint and other materials available separately.
  • Level: Advanced
  • Phase: 6
  • Type: VTS Learner Module
  • Access: 1 Month or in Sub
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What is A3 Thinking?

A3 Thinking is a process of team-based problem solving, generally geared towards a challenging problem that has eluded a solution by the team running the process. 

In effect, A3 Thinking, and the associated A3 report are pulled out when lesser tools fail.
A3 Thinking combines many of the hallmarks of good Lean management with a variety of tools. It uses the PDCA cycle as its foundation, but with a far more analytical approach than typically used with Plan Do Check Act. The analysis of these problems relies on many of problem-solving tools associated with Lean (5 Whys, cause and effect diagram, Pareto charts, run charts), and the solutions for these problems often make use of improvement tools from the Lean toolkit (kanban, Standard Work, 5S).

The A3 Report is the primary method used to document and communicate progress with this problem-solving effort. It is so named because of the A3 size piece of paper that it was originally created on. In the US, it is generally done on 11 x 17 paper, which is close to A3.

Although our module is a “fundamentals” level module, it is still a sophisticated tool. You should have a solid foundation in continuous improvement tools before attempting it. And keep in mind that the typical use of the A3 report is for problem solving. With experience, you will be able to expand on how you use it by creating proposal or status A3 reports.

Course Content