A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 7 Check Results

17th August 2021 - Peter Watkins

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 7 Check Results

This video blog will give you an inital overview to A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 7 Check Results. 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

Step 6 – Countermeasures & Plan

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Visual Teach Poster

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 7 Check Results

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 7 Check Results

Video is played best when watching in Full Screen Mode

Key Learning Points from the Video

How do you Check Results?

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 7 Check Results

Example of Step 7 – Check Results

Ongoing measurement enables us to understand the impact of countermeasures

Use measures identified in step 4 – Target Setting

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 7 Check Results
Leaper man go see

Evaluate Results & Counter Measure Process Effectiveness

Always “Go See” to verify and grasp the real situation

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 7 Check Results

Ask :-

By how much did we close the Gap?

What else do we need to do?

Do we need to solve more Problems to close the Gap to Ideal State ?

PDCA diagram

Implementing Countermeasures should follow P.D.C.A Logic

Countermeasures are not solutions – there are a PDCA process of experiment & learning. Trying out something new to make a change and address the Root Causes of the “Problem to Pursue”

If you have followed steps 1- 6 of the problem solving method correctly, then the countermeasures should have a good impact on the GAP

Ensure you are following the PDCA Logic to implement countermeasures, If countermeasures have negative impact then we need to do more study / learning

PDCA Logic Chart

Evaluate Results from the three key viewpoints: The Customer’s, The Organisations and Your Own

Leapers watching

Understand the factors behind the success or failure

Summarise any other benefits and learnings gained from your problem solving activity

Evaluate the overall results, and the processes used, then share the evaluation with involved members

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 7 Check Results

Helpful hints on this step:-

Example Showing Countermeasure Implementation Against Target

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 7 Check Results

Make sure you know what you are changing is improving the process or solving the problem?

Check & Monitor at each point of countermeasure implementation against plan

Band aid

Have countermeasures been effective, can we remove containment without incident to process customer

If we don’t remove it becomes part of the process and waste!

containment is waste

At this stage you will need to challenge if you can remove any containment that was put in place

Containment is extra cost and waste i.e extra time , management , resources etc – not originally planned into service or product value proposition

Leapers looking at goal

Reviewing & sharing results with others can bring new thinking and ideas to help achieve your Ideal Situation & Ultimate goal

PDCA - keep going

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

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 7 Check Results

Related Courses and Recommended Reading

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