A3 Problem Solving

How to use the A3 Problem Solving

An A3 report tells the whole story of one problem on a single A3 sheet, so a team can agree on facts, causes and actions.

1. Left side: background, current condition with data, target and root cause analysis.
2. Right side: countermeasures with owners and dates, the implementation plan, and how results will be checked.
3. Review the A3 with the people involved at each stage before moving on.

Worked example

Late deliveries on one product line rose to 18%. The A3 shows the trend, a Pareto of late orders by cause, a 5 Whys tracing most delays to waiting for first-off inspection, a countermeasure of training two operators to sign off first-offs, and a target of under 5% late within six weeks.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Jumping to countermeasures before the current condition is measured.
• Filling the A3 alone at a desk instead of with the people doing the work.
• Never returning to the follow-up box to check results.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called an A3?

It is named after the A3 paper size (297 × 420 mm). Fitting the story onto one sheet forces clear, concise thinking.

What are the sections of an A3 report?

Typically background, current condition, target, root cause analysis, countermeasures, implementation plan and follow-up.

Is A3 the same as PDCA?

A3 is a format that follows the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle: the left side is Plan; the right side covers Do, Check and Act.