Hello all:

On Thursday February 19, 2009 I had the opportunity to attend my second ASQ section meeting of the Golden Spike Section. We enjoyed a sandwich dinner provided by BATC and training provided by Paul Harbath. The training was on the A3 problem solving process.  I did not know what A3 problem solving was until the training. Paul discussed the concepts of the A3 process and how the process is based on the PDCA cycle. It was very interesting to learn that A3 is Toyota's method of problem solving and that the process got its name from the size of a piece of paper. The process includes 7 steps.  The first 4 steps, background, current conditions, goals and targets, and analysis, relate to the planning phase of the process. It was interesting to see that 50 % or so of the A3 process was planning. The remaining steps of the process are counter measures, implementation and follow-up which relate to do, check and act. An emphasis of the process that I thought particularly enlightening was that you get people involved and go out and actually see what is going on at various steps in the process.

Part of the training was the Buzz Electronics workshop exercise involving plastic boards and springs. Due to time constraints of the meeting, we attempted to do in 1 hour what is normally done in 2 or more hours.  The exercise was effective in showing how to use the A3 process and the importance of each of the 7 steps. Overall it was an effective training and gave me a lot to think about as well as some techniques to take home and try out.  Paul is a great resource for our section.