Prepared by: Nigel Thurlow Role Role Role

Problem Solving Report Department: Signed Signed Signed

One line description to inform what this A3 is about. Dated: Dated Dated Dated

0. Background 3. Target Setting

 Set an achievable target that will be realized by solving the prioritized problems.
 Insert a small picture and give a bullet point description of the background to this problem.  How much, and by when? Are we contributing to the ultimate goal?
 What does it concern.
4. Root Cause Analysis
 What is it about.
 This is just some high level text to inform the reviewer the purpose of this A3. A 1.1
Why?
1.2
Why?
1.3
Why?
1.4
Why?
1.5
Why? Root Cause
1
Problem Ask Why Ask Why Ask Why Ask Why This is the real
Ask Why
Again Again Again Again root cause!
1. Clarify the Problem
B 2.1 2.2 2.3 2
Ultimate Goal – State your goal. What are you seeking to achieve? Problem Ask Why Ask Why This is the real
Ask Why
Again Again root cause!
 First, consider your Ultimate Goal of your responsibilities at
work.  In order to clarify the Root Cause, thoroughly investigate the process involved.
 Then grasp the Current Situation of the work. Question if  Think of all the possible causes without prejudice, and based solely on the facts!
the current situation is contributing to the ultimate goal.
 Go to Gember. Practice Genchi Genbutsu, and see for yourself. Keep asking why!
Ideal Situation  After fully understanding the Ultimate Goal and Current
If everything is resolved, what is Situation, clarify the Ideal Situation, which is how the
5. Countermeasures & Plan
the ideal situation? Current Situation should be. Now compare the two in order

Business
Practical

Priority
to visualize the Gap. This will make the problem clear.

Impact
Cause

Effect

Time
C/M

Cost
 Draw a picture! Countermeasure Comments
P
Visualizing R 1 A Assess measures to solve problems D O O D O 1 Prioritize your countermeasures
O
B Our Clarified Problem 1 B Make a list and evaluate them for effectiveness D O D O O 3 Do them in that order!
L
Current Situation E 1 E Remember 80% Benefit for 20% Effort C O O C D 5 Stay focussed on the outcome

In contrast to the ideal situation, M

2 F You can't solve everything! O D C O D 6
what is the current situation?
2 C Your countermeasure goes here O D O C D 2
2. Break Down the Problem
2 D Your countermeasure goes here O O O O D 4
 Seek the Points of Cause. What are the things creating the
problem. This is NOT the root cause. M a y- 13 J un- 13 J ul- 13 A ug- 13 S e p- 13 O c t - 13 Method
 e.g. A computer system is running slowly. Rebooting it 05 12 19 25 02 09 16 23 30 07 14 21 28 04 11 18 25 01 08 15 22 29 06 13 20 27
solves the problem. This is not the root cause! A  Explain your planning method and
 Break Down a large and vague problem, and sort it into Workstream
approach.
B Workstream
smaller and more concrete problems which you can tackle  State key actions that will be done.
directly. By breaking down the problem sufficiently, your C Workstream  State key activities that will take
search for the root causes will be more effective. D place.
Workstream
What? Who? E Workstream
Where? When?
F Workstream
 Ask What is causing the problem? 6. Monitor and Review
 Ask Where it is occurring? Results So far
How to ensure countermeasures followed and are successful?
 Ask Who is impacted or involved?
1. Explain here how you will Check that you plan has
 Ask When it occurs?
been followed, and how you will Check that the
Point of Cause Countermeasures are successful.
Problem A 2. Described any governance you have put in place to
P Point of Cause Problem ensure this approach is successful.
14.2857%

R Point of Cause
O Our Clarified
B Problem Point of Cause Problem B  This is a living document and should be updated periodically, and when
L Problem activities are completed. Visualize your results!
E Point of Cause
M
 Plot your results so reviewers know how you are doing, or have done!
Point of Cause
Problem Point of Cause 7. Standardise & Yokoten 8. Further Actions
Break Down Prioritize Prioritized Problems How can we reuse this process improvement? Suggest further improvements or activities that should be considered
Remember – When prioritizing Problems aim for 80% Benefit from 20% Effort How can we share across the organization? following this activity.