A3 Problem Solver Skill

A3 Problem Solver

Overview

The A3 Problem Solver skill provides comprehensive capabilities for structured problem-solving using the A3 methodology. It supports problem statement crafting, root cause investigation, countermeasure development, and PDCA-based follow-up tracking.

Capabilities

A3 template facilitation
Problem statement crafting
Current condition analysis
Target condition definition
Gap analysis
Root cause investigation
Countermeasure development
Follow-up tracking

Used By Processes

CI-002: A3 Problem Solving
LEAN-003: Kaizen Event Facilitation
SIX-005: Root Cause Analysis

Tools and Libraries

A3 templates
Coaching frameworks
Collaboration tools
Progress tracking systems

Usage

skill: a3-problem-solver
inputs:
  problem_type: "problem_solving"  # problem_solving | proposal | status_report
  problem_owner: "John Smith"
  coach: "Jane Doe"
  problem_description: "Customer lead time increased from 5 days to 8 days"
  current_condition:
    metric: "lead_time"
    current_value: 8
    unit: "days"
  target_condition:
    target_value: 4
    unit: "days"
    timeline: "90 days"
outputs:
  - a3_document
  - problem_statement
  - root_cause_analysis
  - countermeasure_plan
  - implementation_schedule
  - follow_up_checklist

A3 Document Sections

Left Side (Understanding)

| Section | Purpose | |---------|---------| | Background | Why is this important now? | | Current Condition | What is happening today? | | Target Condition | What should be happening? | | Gap Analysis | What is the difference? | | Root Cause Analysis | Why does the gap exist? |

Right Side (Action)

| Section | Purpose | |---------|---------| | Countermeasures | What will we do? | | Implementation Plan | How and when? | | Follow-up | How will we verify? | | Results | What did we achieve? |

Problem Statement Criteria

A good problem statement:

Specific - Clear and measurable
Observable - Based on data/facts
Non-judgmental - No blame
Gap-focused - Current vs. target
Bounded - Defined scope

Example

Poor: "Quality is bad" Good: "Defect rate on Line 3 increased from 2% to 5% in Q4 2025"

A3 Thinking Process

PDCA Cycle

Plan - Understand problem, identify root cause, develop countermeasures
Do - Implement countermeasures
Check - Verify results
Act - Standardize or adjust

Coaching Questions

| Section | Coaching Questions | |---------|-------------------| | Problem | Is it measurable? Based on data? | | Current | Do you understand the process? | | Target | Is it realistic? Stretch enough? | | Root Cause | Did you verify with data? | | Countermeasures | Do they address root causes? | | Implementation | Who, what, when? |

Integration Points

Project tracking systems
Knowledge management
Coaching platforms
Performance dashboards

Agent Skills: A3 Problem Solver

Install this agent skill to your local

Skill Files