Guide to Making an A3

What are you talking about it? This might change as you learn more about the problem(s)
Select countermeasures that are directed at the root causes youve identied in your Gap Analysis. Why are you working on this? What bigger goals does this t into? How did you decide to tackle this problem?

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Proposed Countermeasures

Take the time to brainstorm with a group about ways to address the root causes. Make sure to go to the gemba in search of good countermeasures. The people affected by the process (upstream and downstream as well) should help think this through.

Note: Be brief and concise (bullet points).

Describe the current situation in terms of factual information. Use graphs, charts, tables, diagrams to tell your story. Do the main problems stick out in the way you have presented the data? Have you gone to the gemba? This part of an A3 isnt complete unless youve done analysis to present the best facts. You will undoubtedly have to do some digging and analysis to present your Current State. Your Future State/Goals/Targets (whichever you want to call them) should ideally be a new version of your Current State. Take your same measures/data/gures/drawings, etc. and present the future of this process in measurable terms. Success or failure should be obvious based on these goals. Comparing your Current State to your Future State should reveal a gap. This gap should be identied in your Problem Statement. The Gap Analysis is where you capture the results of your root cause analysis. This area should show the real reasons for the gap between the Current State and the Future State. Use tools like the 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, Afnity Diagrams, etc. to help show a true understanding of why we arent already at the Future State. This area should point the way to your Countermeasures.

Current Conditions/Current State Plan/Action Items

Problem Statement
What are the nuts and bolts, the small hows you are going to execute on your way to implementing the Proposed Countermeasures? Who, What, How, When, and Where should be apparent from your Plan/Action Items. Use a table or Gantt chart to help you communicate this in a way that is easy to check and understand.

Future State/Goals/Targets

Gap Analysis Followup

Use this area to show how and when you will follow-up to learn how well: Your Plan/Action Items are executing your Proposed Countermeasures, and Your Proposed Countermeasures are affecting your Future State/Goals/Targets.

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As a nal set of checks, how does the effort support the goals of the APS: I. II. Will people be developed respectfully? Is there a clear understanding of customer and supplier shown?

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III. Does this effort lead to greater value for the customer gained in a win/ win fashion? A. Is Quality higher? B. Is Cost lower without a change in Quality? C. Is the Lead-time lower?

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