Introduction

The A3 approach takes its name from the paper it fits on. One page, one problem, one team working through it together. The simplicity is deliberate, it drives clarity of thinking, keeps improvement visible and creates a shared language that spreads across teams and functions over time.

A3 is more than a template however, it is a way of thinking rooted in the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle and the Toyota principle of genchi genbutsu – going to where the work happens, understanding the problem firsthand, and solving it with the people who know it best. Done consistently, A3s don’t just fix individual problems; they build a library of organisational learning and a culture where improvement becomes habit.

This practical programme gives participants the tools, structure and confidence to start A3s immediately. It suits anyone involved in problem solving, process improvement or team leadership, across any sector, at any level.

Participants will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and philosophy behind A3 thinking and its roots in Lean and PDCA
• Frame and scope a problem clearly, avoiding the common trap of jumping to solutions
• Apply the key tools that sit under each section of the A3, from problem framing to root cause analysis to control and review
• Facilitate an A3 with their team, engaging the people closest to the problem in finding and owning the solution
• Build and maintain an A3 library that captures organisational learning and supports wider CI deployment
• Use A3s as a coaching tool to develop problem-solving capability in others

Why practitioners choose this programme

A3 Problem Solving is one of the most transferable skills in continuous improvement. It requires no special software, no lengthy project cycle and no dedicated resource, just the right people, the right questions and a willingness to look at the problem honestly.

The programme is highly practical, working through real tools under each stage of the A3 so delegates leave equipped, not just informed. The emphasis is on doing: participants work on a real problem during the session, producing an A3 they can take back and use straight away. Over time, as A3s accumulate, they become a living record of how the organisation thinks about and solves problems – a library that onboards new starters, surfaces recurring issues and demonstrates the value of continuous improvement in concrete terms.

Delivery options

Delivered as in-company training, on-site or virtually, in a workshop style that is hands-on throughout. The programme typically runs over one day, with options to spread across two half-day sessions. Each delegate receives a printed and PDF copy of the training materials and a set of A3 templates ready to use. In-company delivery can be tailored to incorporate your own processes, terminology and examples.

Course overview

The programme works through the A3 section by section, from framing the problem and mapping the current state, through root cause analysis and countermeasure selection, to implementation, confirmation and follow-up. We introduce the thinking behind each stage and the practical tools that make it rigorous, so participants leave understanding not just what to fill in, but why each step matters.