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WorkshopManufacturingProblem solving

A3 problem solving

60 minutes 7 blockspro Runs with Pro

The A3 from background to follow-up on one board, filled by the owner and challenged by the team, with a mentor review agenda.

Use this template See inside

Free to open and edit. Running it live needs Pro, free for 14 days on every new account.

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Background
Why this matters now
Current condition
What's happening, in facts and numbers
Goal
The target condition, from X to Y
Root cause analysis
Why the gap exists, with evidence
Countermeasures
Each one tied to a root cause
Implementation plan
What, who, when
Follow-up
How we'll check, and what we'll standardize

In short

A3 problem solving is a lean method that fits the whole problem-solving story on one A3-sized page: background, current condition, goal, root cause, countermeasures, plan and follow-up. This template puts the seven sections on a live board, collects the team's questions from their phones and runs a 60-minute mentor review.
Time
60 minutes
People
3 to 10
Board
7 A3 sections, 3 dots each
Plan
Pro

Updated October 4, 2026

What's inside

The agenda

By the end of this meeting, the A3 owner knows which sections are solid, which need more work, and has agreed next steps with their mentor.

60 min · 7 blocks, drawn to scale Fits exactly
  1. The owner's two-minute story, 5 minutes 5
  2. Questions and evidence, section by section, 15 minutesBrainstorm 15
  3. Mentor review: is the problem understood?, 12 minutesDiscuss 12
  4. Dot-vote: where is the A3 weakest?, 4 minutes 4
  5. Countermeasures and the plan, 12 minutesDiscuss 12
  6. Next steps and the follow-up check, 8 minutes 8
  7. Coaching reflection, 4 minutes 4
015304560 min
  1. +0′The owner's two-minute storyTip: The owner walks the A3 left to right in two minutes. Everyone else listens; questions go on the board in the next block.5 minInfo
  2. +5′Questions and evidence, section by sectionTip: Reviewers add questions, facts and challenges to each section from their phones. Good questions start with 'How do you know...?'15 minBrainstorm
  3. +20′Mentor review: is the problem understood?Tip: Stay on current condition and root cause before discussing any countermeasure. Ask: did you see it where the work happens? What does the data say?12 minDiscuss
  4. +32′Dot-vote: where is the A3 weakest?Tip: Three dots each. It's a coaching signal for the owner, not a grade.4 minDiscuss
  5. +36′Countermeasures and the planTip: Each countermeasure must trace back to a root cause. If one doesn't, ask what problem it's solving.12 minDiscuss
  6. +48′Next steps and the follow-up check8 minDecide
  7. +56′Coaching reflectionWhat did you learn about the problem today?4 minWrap-up

How to run it

  1. 1The A3 owner fills the board before the review. Reviewers read it in advance.
  2. 2Let the owner tell the story, then collect questions on the board from phones so everyone gets heard.
  3. 3As mentor, stay on the left side (problem and causes) until it's solid. Coach with questions rather than giving answers.
  4. 4Agree the next experiment and a date to check the result. The A3 changes as the owner learns.

Questions people ask

What is A3 problem solving?
A structured method from Toyota where the problem, its analysis and the plan fit on one A3 sheet of paper. The owner writes it; a mentor coaches them through it with questions.
What's the difference between A3 and 8D problem solving?
8D is a team method with eight disciplines, often used for customer complaints and supplier quality: team, problem, containment, root cause, corrective action, validation, prevention and recognition. A3 is usually owned by one person and coached by a mentor.
How long does an A3 review take?
About 45 to 60 minutes. Most A3s go through several reviews as the owner tests countermeasures.

Run it with your group

pro
  • Ideas land on the board from every phone, then dot-vote
  • A timer for every block on the shared screen
  • Results, decisions and actions in the summary
Use this template

Free to open and edit. Running it live needs Pro, free for 14 days on every new account.

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