A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

This video blog will give you an inital overview to A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan. This is an 8 part mini series on the A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving method. We have already covered:-

Step 1 – Problem Clarification

Step 2 – Containment

Step 3 – Problem Analysis & Breakdown

Step 4 – Target Setting

Step 5 – Root Cause

A3 Practical Problem Solving -  Visual Teach Poster

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

The video is presented by Peter Watkins a Senior Coach at LEA , who explains the key points using a Visual Teach Poster.

The top half of our Teach Poster focuses on the Purpose, Process & People of Practical Problem Solving. This is covered in our FREE Skill Level 1 course on A3 Practical Problem Solving – ACCESS HERE

This blog series concentrates on the lower half of the Visual Teach Poster , which covers the 8 step method based on Toyota Business Practice.

Play the Video Overview for A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

Video is played best when watching in Full Screen Mode

Key Learning Points from the Video

How do you Develop Countermeasures?

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

Generate many different countermeasure ideas that which will address each specific Root Cause from your 5 Why Analysis in Step 5

Broadly consider all stakeholders & risks involved to develop countermeasure with highest added value
Have more than one countermeasure idea – at least 2 to 3 alternative ideas

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

Make sure you involve, consult and inform all relevant people to develop countermeasure effectively

Countermeasure should make a Change – DO something to make a change

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures evaluate

Evaluate all the countermeasure ideas based upon a RELEVANT criteria
e.g Risk ,Cost, Time , Quality , Effectiveness etc

Use simple evaluation scoring to help make judgement on each countermeasure idea. Add score up for overall amount

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures prioritise

Use evaluation rating score to help prioritise each countermeasure Idea for implementation or de-selection.

Ensure countermeasure meet expected timings from target setting

Prioritisation is based on the evaluation & impact on the GAP

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures schedule plan

Quick implementing of countermeasures is critical after consensus building with all team members involved

Aim for days / weeks – not months to do things!

Ensure Ownership/WHO of countermeasures and
Daily/weekly PDCA of actions is done.

Meet timings set in step 4 Target Setting

Schedule Review Points in your plan as well as actions to ensure PDCA

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan example

Example of Step 6 – Countermeasures & Plan

Never give up. If you cannot achieve the expected results, try other countermeasure ideas

Ensure you follow Plan-Do-Check-Act logic when implementing countermeasures

PDCA of countermeasures
  • You may need to adjust them to get contribution you want
  • Planned trial and error is OK
  • Loop back in process if problem develops
  • Importance of the culture—keep going, don’t pull the plug
Visualise countermeasures

Ensure focused efforts on countermeasures
Check implementation progress regularly in visualised area with team members. Share bad news quickly and ensure contingency plans for unforeseen risks/events

“See Countermeasures through” with speedy action together as a team – Never give up and act persistently

Ensure timely reporting, informing, consulting on status of actions / plan progress. Monitor your countermeasures impact against target in step 7

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

Helpful hints on this step:-

generate ideas

Don’t get tunnel vision – by going with just the one “great” idea you think will work ! Ensure at least 2- 3 alternative ideas

Its critical to involve the right people in developing countermeasure ideasNOT in Isolation!

Make sure you follow PDCA -Logic when developing your countermeasure. You will be doing something new to make a change – so test and trial of some countermeasure maybe needed as part of the plan

close the gap

SPEED – Implement Fast

Visualise your plan achievement to make sure you know if you are behind or ahead with your actions

Countermeasure implementation schedule needs to match timing from Target Setting in step 6

Make sure your prioritise countermeasures that have impact on closing the GAP

PDCA - keep going

Never give up and act persistently with PDCA – Tenacity is a key trait of a good problem solving


A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 6 Countermeasures & Plan

We have gathered together some links below for selected courses, books and articles if you want to learn more about A3 Problem Solving.