Introduction
The A3 is a visual representation of a subject in A3 format (29.7 * 42): It is a clear presentation of a problem and its solutions understandable not only by the interested but also by all those who are not specialists in the question ».
This concept is part of the observation that any information can be explained clearly on a simple and easy to understand medium. The complexity is indeed not a clear brand of thought:
” The true strength of intelligence is not to understand complicated things, but to strip them of what prevents them from being simple “- Pierre Biillion
A3: A communication standard
The A3 helps to facilitate sharing and decision making. As such and as a disseminated communication tool, this document must meet the rules for the elaboration of a Standard : The best way to make known to this day. This implies that for a typology of A3, there can be several models of A3. In addition, the A3 must:
- Have clear, concise, explicit titles.
- Have a logical sequence and ” tell a story “.
- Have enough information so that everyone can understand the story.
- Be clearly organized: Well separated pavers, balanced in text and graphics, adapted font size and good use of bold and underlined characters.
- Have a structure of PDCA.
- Display the A3 in a dedicated communication space
The different types of A3
|
Description |
A3 Problem Solving |
Report A3 |
Action Proposal A3 |
|
Use by the project group for the reviews of the problem solving project. |
Allows you to do the reporting for the current project or just finished. |
Supports suggestions for improvements by describing the project. |
|
|
T |
Description of the gap between the ideal situation and the current situation Decomposing the problem (5W2H) Description of the objective Analysis of the causes: 5M and 5 why Proposal of the countermeasures |
Context of the project that we want to describe the advancement Description of the project Objectives, planning and team of the project. |
Purpose of the document Background: History, current situation… Objective |
|
D |
Planning and deploying actions |
Activities carried out versus planned activities |
Action proposal Deployment Plan |
|
C |
Control of the result |
Results |
Expected results |
|
A |
Standardization of measures Future improvements |
Point to duplicate (Yokoten) Future improvements |
Possibility of duplication (Yokoten) |
Design of an A3
- Determine the purpose of the document
- Choose the type of A3
- Elaborate ” The story ” that one wishes to tell
- Check the history on the criteria of clarity and brevity
- Create the information to accompany the story (graph…)
- Finalize details: Bold, title, color scheme…
- Check whether the A3 satisfies the initial objective with a non-insider panel
Source
J. K. Liker (2004) – The Toyota Model: 14 principles that will make your business a success
M. Ballé, G. Beauvallet (2013) – The Lean management
F. A. Meyer (2014) – Apply the ToC Lean Six Sigma in Services
