A3 Thinking 102

What is A3 Thinking 102?

A3 Thinking 102 is a remote course conducted by the Program Management Office (PMO) aimed at supporting learners through the completion of a full cycle of change on the A3 they began in A3 Thinking 101. Through directed learning sessions, targeted individual coaching, and peer review, participants are able to apply action planning and project management skills to complete a cycle of change qualifying them for Lean Level 1 Practitioner Certification.

This is a two-month course consisting of three 3-hour learning sessions and at least 5 individual coaching sessions. This course will focus on:

  • How and Why to develop useful process measures
  • How to develop deeper countermeasures for the root cause identified in the problem solving "Left Side" of the A3
  • What it means to engage in a "Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA)" approach to assessing countermeasure effectiveness
  • The importance of catchball and peer review

Learning Objectives

Learners who complete A3 Thinking 102 will know how to:

  • Lead one cycle of change to address a problem in their functional area
  • Recognize and apply the thought process behind the A3 Thinking framework, thereby aligning with UCSF's strategic focus on continuous improvement
  • Engage in effective questioning practices to help empower peers to solve problems with "lean lens"
  • Present A3 improvements to leadership and colleagues for feedback and institutional learning

Expectations

High learner engagement contributes to any individual's success in this course and the value it provides. As such, learners will be expected to:

  • Participate in group activities and discussions, raise questions, and share examples in class
  • Work through implementation of at least one cycle of change to address their problem and share learnings with measureable results
  • Work with a Lean coach between class sessions to develop and refine their learning through attending at least 5 one-on-one coaching sessions
  • Present their A3 improvement Project on the last day of the course to share learnings and measureable results with peers, leadership, and colleagues and earn Lean Practitioner Certification

Course Overview

In this course, participants will revisit the A3 Thinking Process to work through prioritization of countermeasures and the implementation of at least one cycle of change to address their problem and share learnings and measurable results. Participants will be paired with a Lean coach for coaching sessions tailored to support progress to complete at least one cycle of change for participants' specific A3 Improvement project. Coaches will reccommend and teach independent lessons customized to individual project needs. Sample topics for mini-teaches include: Pareto Analysis, 5S, Mistake Proofing, and Standard Work.

Session 1 

Check and Adjust to Make Meaningful Improvements

Session 2 

Effective Questioning and Coaching for peer-to-peer feedback

Session 3 

A3 Improvement Project Presentations and Celebration

Who Should Take This Course?

UCSF staff continuing from A3 101 who have developed an A3 and who are interested in continued coaching and Lean certification.

Prerequisite Requirements

Class Participants are expected to understand Lean concepts and A3 Thinking prior to taking this course. There are two ways to meet the prerequisite requirements:

1. Take "Intro to Lean" and "A3 Thinking 101" and work through the left side of the A3. Participants who are ready to move forward will have a solid problem statement, target condition, and proposed countermeasures

OR

2A. Complete the Alternate Placement Exam for Lean Fundamentals Knowledge Assessment

AND

2B. Submit an in-process A3 on a real-work problem. Participants who are ready to move forward will have a solid problem statement, target condition, and proposed countermeasures. Inquire for more details