Understanding A3 Thinking: A Critical Component of Toyota's PDCA Management System 1st Edition

by Durward K. Sobek II (Author), Art Smalley (Author)

48 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-1563273605

ISBN-10: 1563273608

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Winner of a 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Prize.

Notably flexible and brief, the A3 report has proven to be a key tool In Toyota’s successful move toward organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and improvement, especially within its engineering and R&D organizations. The power of the A3 report, however, derives not from the report itself, but rather from the development of the culture and mindset required for the implementation of the A3 system.

In Understanding A3 Thinking, the authors first show that the A3 report is an effective tool when it is implemented in conjunction with a PDCA-based management philosophy. Toyota views A3 Reports as just one piece in their PDCA management approach. Second, the authors show that the process leading to the development and management of A3 reports is at least as important as the reports themselves, because of the deep learning and professional development that occurs in the process. And finally, the authors provide a number of examples as well as some very practical advice on how to write and review A3 reports.

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Product details

Hardcover: 165 pages
Publisher: Productivity Press; 1 edition (March 7, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1563273608
ISBN-13: 978-1563273605
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 48 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #44 in Books > Business & Money > Industries > Manufacturing
- #47 in Books > Business & Money > Industries > Industrial Relations
- #79 in Books > Business & Money > Management & Leadership > Quality Control & Management > Quality Control

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Very good addition to your lean library

August 23, 2010

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Pro:
+ Very, very good summary of PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
+ Good use of references using solid, reliable sources
+ Explains misconceptions of western interpreation of the word, "standard"
+ Solid summary chapter at the end
+ A3 building exercises for the reader is a novel approach, thumbs up
+ Practical advice
+ Good examples of A3s
+ Appreciated the honesty glimpses of the realities of Toyota as a global, multinational company, even if they were small or only hinted at
+ A decent section on the "digital" vs. "paper" debate
+ Describes some elements of good or proper visuals (e.g. Tufte section on proper display of analytics)
+ Changes the way I will forever ask (and give) updates on projects

Con:
- By far the largest issue is the repetitious nature of the material. Chapters 3, 4, 5 could have perhaps been best presented as one with notes describing key differences. As is, I think the repetition has a tendency to hide and demphasize differences and key points.
- Fig 6.2 and related description seems to have some serious issues, whether it is message, erroneous, or other I cannot yet say
- Some jargon (e.g. "spinning your wheels") that will not translate easily if you are not American

Neutral:
> 5 Whys was not deeply described and maybe borders in my opinion on an incorrect description, although in fairness to the authors this is not the focus of the book
> Heavy use of "at Toyota" (which is on the cover) so if this is a turnoff, please note that "Toyota" shows up in here quite a bit

Bottom line: Recommended for everyone. Despite cons, easily in my top 5 lean/excellence books.

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Charles Alter

A3 Thinking Matters

January 12, 2009

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This book is really an excellent and in depth analysis of A3 thinking and the basic process that underlies it, PDCA or the Deming Model. It is a good primer to understand how to use A3 thinking and how to avoid many of the pitfalls that are typical when Americans try to emulate Japanese management practices. Personally, I'm more interested in the Strategy A3 process than the Problem Solving A3 but it all flows nicely and should help anyone interested in learning more about the process.

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Don L

Exceptional Book

February 1, 2009

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is an exceptional book that not only provides the reader with a deep perspective of key Toyota enablers but thoroughly explains how to use and develop the skills to create them.

Any serious study of Toyota reveals that PDCA (the Deming Cycle) and the A3 reporting mechanism are at the heart of the onion. These are the tools that enabled the development of their Production System. As a friend and Toyota manager once explained, "it's their circulatory system" or how they create and transmit knowledge. These tools are as prevalent in Toyota's PD or Marketing as they are in a production unit.

If you are serious about implementing "Lean" your time and money could not be better placed than in reading this book! It is well written and very useful.

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ECF-EOT

Wonderful, Useful Book

February 23, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've ordered this book before, but it's such a good and helpful guide that I couldn't help but grab another copy. We use the A3 thinking model at my workplace and this book has been so useful in understanding how it all works and why. I highly recommend buying this book for any workplace that desires to update its business structure.

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Dillibabu

A must for all Manager and Leader

July 27, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Explains how to communicate effectively.
A must for all leaders interested in effective decision making and not checking the box decision.
The key is that managers and leadership need system thinking of profound knowledge to coach their subordinates, which is rare commodity nowadays

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William C. Zeeb

Good A3 Reference Book

February 14, 2009

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Outstanding reference work of the logic and mechanics of creating A3's. Covered are 3 variants: 1) Problem Solving A3's, 2) Proposal A3's, and 3) Status A3's.

The authors present a refreshingly pragmatic approach to helping improvement teams and leaders to drive communication, scientific method thinking and organizational alignment for improvement. Clearly building on the A3 heritage of Toyota...the focus is on the thought process and not on one correct format. " ...like snowflakes, no two A3's are alike."

Six Sigma professionals will recognize many elements (both existing and omitted) of DMAIC thinking in the PDCA format of the A3. For today's challenging business cycle, the A3 approach can offer faster, less bureaucratic results, building on more frequent cycles of learning through revision than DMAIC.

This book is valuable for beginners as well as veteran Six Sigma professionals looking to make the transition from DMAIC to A3 thinking.

The case studies included in the book provide an outstanding opportunity to test your understanding and gain initial cycles of learning with A3's writing and reviewing.

Save this book for a long flight; you can get through the case studies easily.

Managing to Learn: Using the A3 Management Process to Solve Problems, Gain Agreement, Mentor, and Lead is another helpful guide to A3's which deals even more with the "human side" of A3 thinking.

For those who wish to go deeper into the graphical aspects of A3, which are discussed to a limited degree in Mr. Sorbek's work, Edward Tufte's The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd edition is a valuable resource.

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Normfll

Excellent for overview and reference

July 2, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Hardly a week goes by that I do not consult this book (I have the hard cover and Kindle versions), and certainly not a month goes by without my referring to it. It sets out the reasons A3s are useful and what they can achieve for us. And then it has clear guidelines on what to consider for the three types of A3s discussed.

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Robert R. Jones

Learn A3 the right way

April 19, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Very good instructional book about true A3 Thinking

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Most recent customer reviews

It's a good way to understand what is above and beyond the A3 as template or format.

Published 1 year ago

Phil Calçado

Great intro

Pretty good introduction. Very actionable advice and tips. Nevertheless, I would only recommend it if you have read The Toyota Way, Learning to See and/or similar books on Lean...Read more

Published 1 year ago

LCD_Geek

Five Stars

Very detailed with good advice.

Published 1 year ago

Chris H

Great Book

Whether you are new to A3 concepts or a seasoned veteran, this is a great book to hone your skills with practical insights and examples you can easily apply.Read more

Published on February 6, 2016

Happy Customer

Five Stars

Great book

Published on January 31, 2016

Yaqoub Al Meer

Five Stars

a very good book

Published on December 23, 2015

Amazon Customer

A must read for all Lean Practitioners

As a 25 year member of Toyota's leadership team I can sincerely say that this book is one of the most accurate representations of the methods used within Toyota.Read more

Published on August 9, 2015

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