A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 8 Standardise & Share

This video blog will give you an inital overview to A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 8 Standardise & Share. This is the last of 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

Step 7 – Check Results

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Visual Teach Poster

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 8 Standardise & Share

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 8 Standardise & Share

Video played best when watching in Full Screen Mode

Key Learning Points from the Video

How do you Standardise & Share ?

A3 Practical Problem Solving - Step 8 Standardise & Share example

Example of Step 8- Standardise & Share

Make Standards Visible

Create Standard Work so it can be used to establish the new base line from which you can build

Periodic process checks should be used to help maintain and review for problems

When developing a new standard or updating a current one we need to answer YES to 4 basic questions;

Is there a documented standard ?

Is the standard clear ?

Has the standard been trained ?

Is the standard being followed ?

We all should take Personal Responsibility to Share out Learnings from Problem Solving

A lot of hard work and effort has gone into solving a problem

If we don’t share with others it disrespect’s those who could benefit from the learnings.

If we don’t put effort into sharing we miss the opportunity to develop other peoples thinking way.

Where else can you share this learning which could benefit the organisation both internally & externally

Develop the organisation by accelerating the benefits from problem solving

How can we use the learning to develop people’s knowledge within the organisation

Need to think and plan carefully the why, what, who, where, when and how of sharing the Learnings (5W’s & 2H’s)

By solving problems we develop as an organisation becoming wiser & better at what it does

By developing people on real problems you will create a learning culture through teaching & coaching

When completing any round of Problem Solving we should all ways ask ourselves :-

What did we Learn ?

Critical Self Reflection and or / Feedback is needed to improve your skills for next time

Your work is a repeating cycle of Problem Solving.
Start the next step towards your Ideal State or Ultimate Goal when you have solved one problem

A3 Practical Problem Solving – Step 8 Standardise & Share

Helpful hints on this step:-

After positive countermeasure implementation you need to ensure the changes made don’t revert back or cause other problems

Make sure responsibilities for creating / updating process standards are clear and done with the people doing the work

Make Work Standards Visible

Ensure management routines verify and check that standard are maintained and improved

Ensure YOU take personal responsibility to share out the learning from Problem Solving

It is key to developing others peoples thinking and problem solving capability

Put time and real effort into sharing the learnings – develop a robust plan using 5ws & 2 h to ensure good thinking

Grow the organisations knowledge through sharing problems

Effective knowledge sharing using A3 ‘s will accelerate an organisations improvement culture

Make sure you have robustly defined methods & process for sharing

Do some “Critical Self Reflection” and get feedback to improve your skills for next time

Think About :-
What mistakes did you make ?
How good were you at following the 8 Steps thinking way?
How well did you work with other to solve problem?