What is an A3?

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What is an A3?

Mark A. Watson Center for Operations ExcellenceProcess Improvement Through People Development


• The A3 document is used by the A3 candidate as s/he goes through the A3 program

Introduction and Purpose

• The A3 document was used extensively through the Master Design project to document and understand decisions made

• The A3 document has been used with the X-matrix to lay out strategic decision making for departments



Looking for Problems/Opportunities

• Focus on the problem (not the solution or the cause)

• Stated from the customers perspective - Need not be quantified

• Could be stated as an “opportunity”

• A good problem statement will allow the reader to get a feel for the magnitude of the issue and how the current situation is negatively impacting strategic goals (Quality, Research, People, Financial Stability, and Growth/Access)

An A3 is. . .



• The term “A3” refers to the paper size (11 x 17) used for problem-solving, proposals, plans, and project reviews

• However, more than just a paper size, it…• Fosters dialog• Provides a standard way of communicating

• Think of it as a 5S for information• Gives insight into stakeholder alignment• Aides in project management• Tells the story of the project

What is the A3?



+/∆ of the A3

Why is the A3 useful?• When done properly, it tells a story,

from the upper left-hand side to the lower right, which anyone can understand

• It contains all the elements of DMAIC

• Summarizes an entire project or plan on a single sheet of paper

• It is a “work-in-progress” that requires constant revision as new information becomes available

Why is the A3 challenging to use?• It requires a change in behavior and

thinking

• It forces users of the process to limit their project material to one sheet of paper

• It requires a process and a system for using it successfully

• It prevents you from going right to a solution



It can start as a blank piece of paper


www.akronchildrens.org/givingMark A. Watson Center for Operations ExcellenceProcess Improvement Through People Development


It can be an unfilled form



Title of the A3: DEFINE: Background

Insert background information here as to why working on this is important. A few bullet points are ideal

MEASURE: Current Conditions

SMART Goal

Insert SMART Goal here

ANALYZE: Fishbone

IMPROVE: Implementation Plan

Process Owner:

CONTROL

Insert a chart to show the measurements have improved from baseline and any pertinent pictures to show …. And the clear plan to show how the project will sustain itself

Owner:Coach:

This area will contain the Current State Process Map and current data that is available and applicable.

Insert a fishbone diagram to depict the potential causes, circling the top causes

Insert plan of action- who is doing what by when to get the plan implemented

Problem Statement

Insert problem statement here

Future State Process Map

This area will contain the Current State Process Map and current data that is available and applicable.

PEOPLE METHOD MEASUREMENT

MACHINE MATERIAL ENVIRONMENT

PROBLEM STATEMENT

ACTIVITY DATE WHO EXPECTED OUTCOME

RESULTS Insert the metrics after implementation begins to show improvements

Metric Improved

PrePos

tNVA Time Cost Savings

% of Improvement

Metric Dates Who Countermeasures

www.akronchildrens.org/givingMark A. Watson Center for Operations ExcellenceProcess Improvement Through People Development


Types of A3’s

• Guiding• For planning the strategy for a Value Stream• Used with Champions and Process Owners• Lay out the vision of where and how process improvement can be

engaged within the department

• Functional• For managing a DMAIC project• Used by the project leader to fill in the key project findings



Fosters Dialog

• Project Leader walks the Champions & Process owners through the blank A3

• As you work to fill in the blank spaces, going through the A3, you’ll find that discussions about the value stream will be discussed that otherwise would not have taken place

• As the project is ongoing, it can be used as a reference to curious parties when the project leader wants to showcase how the project is progressing



Provides a Standard Way of Communicating



Helps to see if stakeholders are aligned

• In the project’s beginning, the Project Leader works with the project stakeholders regarding their view of the value stream• If the stakeholders are discussing the same problems, there is alignment that

certain issues need to be addressed• If the stakeholders are

not discussing the same problems or worse yet, pointing fingers at one another, the project leader needs to use her/his soft skills to move the group to have the same vision



Why it is important to have alignment?



Aides in project management

• As the project progresses, the empty spaces act as a signal that there is still work to complete on the project

• The Improve section is especially important as it highlights…• Improvements to be made• Who is responsible• When the improvement is due for completion• Completion percentage for the improvement



Tells the story of your project

• At the end of your project, the A3 can be used to…• Track the progress of the project metric after implementation• Displayed in the gemba to show off their hard work• Showcase to stakeholders outside of the department/project


Source: Dallas Children’s Hospital

What is an A3?

Health & Medicine

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