a3 template for problem solving

Lean Events and Training / Forms and Templates

Forms and Templates

Downloads for A3 problem solving, standard work , project management, and value stream mapping .

Problem Solving Templates

A3 Action Plan Form (from Getting the Right Things Done)

The action plan template helps define the who, what, when, where, and how of a plan on one page.
Helps track progress and highlight problems so action can be taken.

A3 Status Review Form (from Getting the Right Things Done)

Top box provides an overview with respect to our critical end-of-pipe metrics.
Second box provides an overview of activities, and usually reflects what’s been prescribed on the action plan of the right side of the strategy A3.

A3 Strategy Form (from Getting the Right Things Done)

A strategy A3 is a one-page storyboard on 11-inch by 17-inch paper that helps tell the strategy “story.”
Logic flows from top left to bottom right, and each box leads to the next one.

Detailed A3 Template (from Managing to Learn)

Print this A3 template out to remind you of each section of the problem-solving A3 as you are creating your own.

PDSA A3 Template (from On the Mend)

A3 Template, in Excel, following the PDSA cycle.

Problem Definition Worksheet

This worksheet can help you breakdown the problem into a clearly defined gap as well as see how the problem aligns to the needs of the business or your True North purpose.

Root Cause Template

This template gives you space to record the problem as well as the direct causes and underlying causes.

Four Types of Problems

Art Smalley

Managing to Learn: Using the A3 management process

Perfecting Patient Journeys

Beau Keyte , Tom Shuker and Judy Worth

Getting the Right Things Done

Pascal Dennis

Standard Work Templates

Standard Work Operator Balance Chart (OBC)

The operator balance chart helps create continuous flow in a multi-step, multi-operator process by distributing operator work elements in relation to takt time.

Standard Work Process Study Sheet

The Process Study Sheet is used to define and record the time for work elements in a process.

Standard Work Production Analysis Board

A Production Analysis Board is a display that must be located at the exit of the cell (or the line) to show actual performance compared with planned performance on an hourly basis.

Standard Work Skills Training Matrix

The Skills Training Matrix shows the required and attained skills of every operator.
The training schedule also should be shown.

Standardized Work Chart

The standardized work chart shows operator movement and material location in relation to the machine and overall process layout.
It should show takt time, work sequence, and standard WIP.

Standardized Work Combination Table

The standardized work combination table shows the combination of manual work time, walk time, and machine processing time for each operation in a production sequence.
This form is a more precise process design tool than the Operator Balance Chart.
It can be very helpful to identify the waste of waiting and overburden, and to confirm standard.

Standardized Work Job Instruction Sheet

The job instruction sheet is used to train new operations.
It lists the steps of the job, detailing any special knack that may be required to perform the job safely with utmost quality and efficiency.
It can also be useful for experienced operators to reconfirm the right operations.

Waste Walk Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Standardized Work Process Capacity Sheet

The Process Capacity Chart is used to calculate the capacity of each machine to confirm true capacity and to identify and eliminate bottlenecks.
Processing capacity per shift will be calculated from the available production time, completion time, and tool-change time (and other factors as necessary) for each work piece.

Waste Walk Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Taking a “waste walk” is one way to make the waste visible again.
A waste walk is simply a planned visit to where work is being performed to observe what’s happening and to note the waste. It differs from go-see activities in that you are specifically looking for waste.

Kaizen Express

Toshiko Narusawa and John Shook

Lean Lexicon 5th Edition

Lean Enterprise Institute

Training Within Industry (TWI) Templates and Downloads

8-step TWI problem solving card - as presented by IBM

8-steps to problem solving handy pocket card printable.

Solving Problems with TWI

Solving problems with TWI deployment graphic.

Template of Job Breakdown Sheet

Job breakdown sheets are created to list the steps and highlight the main factors or key points that go into completing a job.
It also provides reasons for these key points.

TWI Job Instruction Card

TWI Job Instruction card in a handy pocket printable.

TWI Job Methods Card

TWI Job Methods Card in a handy pocket printable.

TWI Job Relations Card

TWI Job Relations Card in a handy pocket printable.

Lean Solutions

James (Jim) Womack, PhD and Dan Jones

Lean Thinking, 2nd Edition

Project Management Templates

Master Schedule Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Master Schedule and Action Plan Template for One Goal (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Use this template in your project tracking center so you can track both goals and action items on the same form.

End of Project Review Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

The following template will help you capture your end-of-project reflections and make decisions about what to do next.

Master Schedule Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

This template will help you answer this question by letting you include the project goals with space to indicate whether each goal is on track as originally planned and whether the scheduled progress review has taken place.

Team Board Form (from Getting the Right Things Done)

A team board is a window on both routine and improvement work.
The board on this template addresses both daily production and strategic issues, and is organized according to SQDCM—safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale.

Value Proposition Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Align the stakeholders around what will be included in addressing the problem,
Identify the stakeholders who will be added to the project team and actively engaged in creating the current- and future-state value-stream maps,
Identify additional stakeholders necessary to drive the implementation of the future state,
Serve as an agreement—a proof of consensus—on the specific problem to be solved, and with the problem statement serve as authorization for the entire project.

Action Planning Template (from Perfecting Patient Journeys)

Identify the specific changes that need to be made and translate those changes into clearly stated goals and actions (i.e., the means) to achieve those goals.
Identify the specific methods and action steps you think will help you achieve the goals. These action steps and targets constitute the action plan to achieve a specific goal.

Value-Stream Mapping Templates

Value-stream Mapping Icons for Excel

At the request of some of our readers we have posted the most commonly used mapping icons so that they can be downloaded for Excel spreadsheets.

Learning to See

Mike Rother and John Shook

VSM Getting Started Set

Lean Enterprise Institute , Mike Rother and John Shook

Mapping to See: Value-Stream Improvement Workshop

Beau Keyte , Jim Luckman , Kirk Paluska , Guy Parsons , John Shook , Tom Shuker and David Verble

Improvement Kata / Coaching Kata

Improvement Kata Learner's Storyboard

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Free A3 Six Sigma Templates

We’ve gathered the most useful A3 Six Sigma templates in all formats. You’ll learn all about the different types of A3 templates. Included on this page, you’ll find a basic A3 problem-solving template, an A3 strategic planning template, an A3 status report template, an A3 project charter template, and more.

By Lulu Richter | September 4, 2024

Detailed A3 Problem-Solving Template

Create a comprehensive A3 report for targeted issues or improvement projects with this editable template. It includes an integrated fishbone diagram to help you analyze root causes, as well as columns for listing activities, owners, start and end dates, status, and required resources. Other template sections include a problem statement, current and target states, countermeasures, results, and more.

Download Template for

Excel Microsoft Word Google Docs Google Sheets

Detailed A3 Problem-Solving Slide Template

This problem-solving slide template is perfect when you need a detailed A3 analysis for presentations and team meetings. It condenses a detailed A3 report into a convenient slide format with sections for describing the problem, goals, root cause analysis, proposed solutions, actions, and follow-up. A built-in fishbone diagram and preformatted tables make it easy to present information systematically.

PowerPoint Google Slides

Basic A3 Problem-Solving Template

Choose this basic template when your team needs to create a streamlined A3 report that is easy to customize and share. This template provides a simplified layout with sufficient room for adding customized images and text. For users who want additional guidance, the free download also comes with an example version that is pre-filled with sample text, as well as an FAQ page with additional tips.

Microsoft Word Adobe PDF Google Docs

Basic A3 Problem-Solving Slide Template

Use this A3 problem-solving slide template in planning sessions or close-out reviews, or when creating a high-level project overview. This template provides a basic layout to focus attention on key details during stakeholder presentations. The template includes a blank A3 slide, as well as a template completed with sample text and an FAQ page for additional guidance.

A3 Strategic Planning Template

This template is designed for organizational strategy development, long-term product development, and other high-level strategic planning. This template blends a strategic planning document with an A3 report. The template focuses on developing a future vision, with long-term goals, strategic initiatives, and an implementation roadmap that covers five years.

A3 Strategy Slide Template

Use this A3 strategy template when you or your team needs to present a high-level strategic plan to senior leaders, company executives, team members, and other stakeholders. This customizable template includes a multiyear plan for strategic initiatives, analysis of current conditions, future state vision, long-term objectives, and metrics for measuring success.

A3 Status Report Template

Use this editable A3 status report template for project management updates, executive reporting, team coordination, and milestone reviews. This template offers a comprehensive yet concise format, with a project overview, a progress summary comparing planned versus actual status, performance metrics, risk management details, resources needed, and next steps.

A3 Status Report Slide Template

Use this template for stakeholder presentations, project reviews, client updates, and other scenarios requiring a quick project overview. This A3 template helps you create an organized and visually engaging status report. The template includes sections for a project summary, a color-coded status column to highlight the progress of key milestones, and more.

A3 Proposal Template

Use this A3 template for problem-solving proposals, new product proposals, process improvement or strategic initiatives, and more. This template offers a vertical outline rather than the typical horizontal A3 format, while including other A3 elements, such as proposed solutions, anticipated benefits, implementation plan, approval fields, follow-up, and more.

Excel Microsoft Word Adobe PDF Google Docs Google Sheets

A3 PDCA Project Problem-Solving Template

Use this template to simplify complex information, engage your audience, and emphasize the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. The color-coded, modular design is easy to customize for any project.

Basic A3 DMAIC Template

This template focuses on the key elements of the DMAIC process for small-scale projects or internal process reviews. With less detail than other A3 templates, it is quicker to complete and review.

Excel Google Sheets

Lean A3 DMAIC Template

This template is perfect for complex projects. In addition to the A3 report, it features a Gantt chart for assigning activities, setting task due dates, and tracking the progress of DMAIC phases.

A3 Action Plan Template

Use this A3 action plan template to create a clear, actionable roadmap. It allows you to assign responsibilities, identify potential roadblocks, monitor progress, evaluate results, and more.

A3 Kaizen Report Template

Use this Kaizen report form to capture before-and-after conditions, implemented changes, and resulting benefits. You can also insert diagrams, pictures, and text to complete the Kaizen report.

Microsoft Word Adobe PDF

A3 Root Cause Analysis Template

This customizable template guides users through the critical stages of root cause analysis. It also includes a section for listing team members and identifying internal and external stakeholders.

A3 Project Charter Template

Use this editable template to distill project information down to the most critical elements. The template includes sections for problem identification, goal setting, business justification, and more.

A3 Hoshin Kanri Template

Use this template to align your organization’s activities with its long-term vision using the Hoshin Kanri process. It provides space for performance analysis, current business conditions, and more.

Microsoft Word Google Docs

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Types of A3 Templates

A3 templates generally follow a similar format and include elements based on Lean management and the PDCA cycle. They can serve diverse purposes, from strategic alignment and project management to problem-solving and team coordination.

Here are several A3 template types:

Simple A3 Template: This is a streamlined version of the A3 template that focuses on essential elements, making it ideal for quick problem-solving or communication. A simple A3 typically includes basic sections — such as the problem statement template, analysis, and action steps — without requiring extensive detail.
Detailed A3 Template: This is a comprehensive A3 template that includes in-depth sections for analysis, data collection, and detailed action plans. Use this template type for complex problems requiring thorough exploration and documentation of the process.
PDCA A3 Template: This template is an iterative tool that follows the PDCA cycle, guiding teams through continuous improvement by planning and implementing actions, checking results, and making necessary adjustments. Learn more in this guide to continuous improvement .
Problem-Solving A3 Template: Designed to guide teams through the problem-solving process, this template emphasizes root cause analysis, countermeasures, and results for a structured approach to identifying and resolving issues.
Project Planning A3 Template: A tool for planning and managing projects, this template includes sections for defining objectives, timelines, resources, and risks.
Proposal A3 Template: Used to present proposals or recommendations to gain buy-in from stakeholders, this template outlines the problem, proposed solutions, expected benefits, and implementation plan.
Status A3 Template: This template is used to report on the current status of a project or initiative, including progress, challenges, and next steps.
Strategic A3 Template: Designed for strategic planning, this template aligns long-term goals with specific initiatives, outlining strategic objectives, key actions, and expected outcomes.
Team Charter A3 Template: This template outlines the team’s mission, objectives, and working agreements. The charter serves as a foundational document that guides team dynamics and performance.

For more Lean resources, see our collection of free Lean Six Sigma templates , as well as these complete guides to Lean project management and Lean process improvement .