Example of learning to use the A3 Practical Problem Solving Method.
LEA has an ongoing partnership with a great charity called the Canal & River Trust. (Learn more about them by clicking on their Logo).
As part of their Lean Learning Journey, we are developing the capabilities of some of their leaders. This will allow them to be able to Teach and Coach others to maintain & stabilise the daily work. It will also help them reach their long term goals.
The first part of their development was to learn & practice A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving. From this they can go on to Teach and Coach others in the organisation.
Developing Capability and Improving the work at the same time!
Five Leaders have just recently completed their very first 8 Step Practical Problem Solving A3 – based on solving some real organisational problems. 4 out of 5 the leaders had never followed any scientific method to solve problems before.
They went through LEA’s recommended Lean Learning Journey Process for the A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving method. This involved being coached weekly by LEA’s Senior Lean Coaches to achieve Skill Level 3: Capable.
A key part of the development process is to do a final report out to the senior managers. As a result, this involved going through and explaining their problem solving activities using a visual A3 to tell the story. The video below is one of those leaders presenting his A3 problem solving story.
Watch this short Video of an A3 explanation from Ben Arthur – Business Intelligence Manager at Canal & River Trust
This video is an example of learning to use the A3 Practical Problem Solving Method.
In this video blog, Ben Arthur explains his first ever A3 Problem Solving activity to an online audience. Ben was asked 15 minutes of question, at the end of this presentation, but we had to cut the Q & A section out due to the length. A full version will be available on our YouTube channel. You can also download a PDF of Ben’s A3 to see more of the detail than can be shown on the screen.
Do you have a structured Learning Process for Developing Capability?
Problem Solving is the number one skill to develop in people who want to apply lean thinking & practice.
Why? Because the starting point for lean is understanding what situational problems you need to solve. Then follow a robust method to solve these problems – rather than jumping to solutions.
Therefore, if you can engage everyone in identifying & solving problems you will deliver more value to your customers and organisation.
Using the LEA learning platform and supported by a Skill Level 4 Coach, leaders can progress through the Learning Process shown below to become Capable.
In short, following a structured PDCA Learning process enables people to get a good result, even on their first attempt.
Overview of our Learning Process for A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving skill development
Skill Level 1: Knowledge
Using the top part of our Visual Teach Poster (see right) the Leaders cover the basic Knowledge on the Background, Purpose, Process and People. These are all aspects of the A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving Method.
In addition, the leaders gain knowledge about why they need to use it, the underlying thinking behind the process to use it correctly. and their role when using it.
Skill Level 2: Understanding
Using our online learning platform and live coaching sessions, the leaders go on to gain a deep Understanding. This is how to actually apply the 8 Steps of the A3 Practical Problem Solving (PPS) method.
For example in the picture, the leaders also gain some practical experience by completing a PPS A3 from a case study exercise. They then compare it with our answer in live debriefing sessions to confirm their understanding of each step.
Skill Level 3: Capable
To become capable the leaders need to develop their skill by solving a real business problem.
After going through an initial problem selection process, they are coached “step by step” over 12 weeks in 1 hour sessions by an LEA Senior Coach.
Periodically they also go through an evaluation process to check understanding and visualisation of their A3 problem solving story.
At the end of the 12 weeks a final report out session is completed to share their problem solving story and result. The session is attended by their immediate & senior manager(s).
Have a look at Ben’s A3 as an example, just click on link above!
If you are interested in Learning the A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving method, please take a look at our all supporting Learning Materials and courses
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A3 Problem Solving On-Demand Webinar£24.99 -
8 Step Practical Problem Solving Bundle – Teach Poster & Facilitation Guide£64.99 -
A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving Facilitation Guide£19.99 -
8 Step Practical Problem Solving Teach Poster£49.99 -
8 Step Practical Problem Solving Delegate Workbook£19.99 -
A3 Document Types & Uses – Skill Level 1: Knowledge£9.99 -
A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving – Skill Level 1: Knowledge£0.00 -
A3 8 Step Practical Problem Solving – Skill Level 2: Understanding£50.00 -
Managing to Learn£44.00