The A3 Pocket Handbook for Kaizen Events

By: Todd Sperl, Rob Ptacek, Jayant Trewn (PhD)The A3 Pocket Handbook for Kaizen Events allows team members to be literally and figuratively on the same page when participating in an improvement event.  This allows more ownership, while at the same time preserving organizational knowledge.  The improvement methodology used (i.e., Six Sigma D-M-A-I-C, PDCA, etc.) will relate to the A3 Report that is conveyed in this publication.  (The A3 Report is designed to help you “tell the story” in a logical and visual way and act as a road map for continuous improvement and problem solving initiatives.)

The purpose of this pocket handbook is to:

1. Ensure all team members have a quick reference for Lean Six Sigma definitions.
2. Compliment, as a mini-workbook, the Practical Lean Six Sigma for Healthcare and The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Guide XL books as well as any other training materials used in an improvement event.
3. Provide a road map for continuous improvement projects if no other methodology (i.e., PDCA, D-M-A-I-C, etc.) is used.
4. Provide Lean Thinking Statement assessments at the end of each section for employees to “think” Lean and continue their engagement.
5. Be a repository of thoughts, ideas, and any action items that may be assigned, etc.
6. To retain organizational knowledge by being a personal detailed log of the Kaizen Event to be shared and/or referenced later.

Each project (i.e., challenge) uses a variety of Lean Six Sigma tools.  No project will require every tool listed in this book or that the same tools be applied in exactly the same order.  However, if you follow a structured methodology and use the A3 Report format, you will find projects will become easier to execute – especially as employees understand, learn, and experience success.  As your familiarity and experience with applying the A3 Report format increases, so will your ability to effectively select the appropriate tools.

To effectively use this book:

– Navigate the A3 Report as you progress through the project (starting at the top left of the report moving vertically to the bottom right – represented sequentially by the right-side book tabs).
– Complete the A3 Report (i.e., this handbook) as you learn and apply the tools to the project:

1. Go to the tab in the book that corresponds to the A3 Report section you are working on.
2. Review Tools and Sensei Tips for that stage of your project.
3. Ensure the Key Questions are appropriately addressed.
4. Complete the relevant section of the A3 Report by explaining what was completed or by drawing a simple diagram.
5. Document My Action Items that you (or a sub-team) are responsible for.
6. Complete the Lean Thinking Statement assessments to reinforce the team’s direction as well as your continued involvement in the project.
7. Complete the For Future Reference section to retain organizational knowledge.

Use the Wiki Kaizen Event section to plan those quick, easy-to-implement improvements that do not typically require any type of collaboration.

It is suggested each team member receive one The A3 Pocket Handbook for Kaizen Events book for each Kaizen Event.

Paperback – 3.75” x 5.5” – 120 pages – Lean Six Sigma Tool Definitions – Lean Thinking Statement Assessments – Examples – Glossary – Index