ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapter, we introduced the basic A3 tool used for problem solving. In teaching A3 report writing, Toyota starts with that version and ensures that employees use it in appropriate situations throughout their early career development. One of the authors went through repeated learning cycles of this process for several years while working for Toyota in Japan. Obviously, an A3 report cannot be written for every problem or situation in life. But Toyota uses it frequently where clarifying problems experienced during the course of work and where resolving the problem leads to useful and important learning opportunities. We suggest that adopters of this method also practice the problem-solving A3 report first, as it is the most generally applicable form of the tool.
