In Person A3 Problem Solving Immersive Workshop
This 2-part A3 Problem Solving workshop aims to equip participants with the skills to facilitate team problem solving using a structured approach that combines A3 problem solving with Liberating Structures. The objective is to unleash creativity and positive engagement among team members, essential for building a lean culture. Through hands-on practice and immersion in an 8-step A3 framework, participants will learn to walk through the A3 problem solving process while learning methods to involve people in the process through fun and creative activities.
Objective: Learn to facilitate team problem solving by providing a little bit of structure to unleash a wealth of creativity and positive engagement.
Purpose: Engaging associates in problem solving is key to building a lean culture. In particular, A3 problem solving (e.g. Theme, Current State, Problem, Goals/Targets, Analysis, Countermeasures, Plan, and Follow-up) is a powerful concept for lean practitioners. This workshop teaches participants how to use A3 problem solving while simultaneously using Liberating Structures to engage teams or large groups.
Approach: There is no single way to address many complex challenges. You learn by doing. Once you’ve seen lean and Liberating Structures in action, and practice doing it in the workshop, you can use it in any setting. In this special immersion workshop for lean thinkers, we will be using an 8-step A3 framework to engage participants in a problem common to lean organizations. This workshop will help reinforce the skill of problems solving and the skill of involving people in problem solving. You’ll see how an A3 can help you solve problems that are technical or human in nature.
Target Audience: All managers, team leads, and supervisors who are tasked with engaging team members with problem solving. Some exposure to lean is beneficial, but not required.
Dates: Feb 29th (8am-5pm) in person PLUS a virtual follow-up on Mar 6th (10-11:30am) online.
Location: On Feb 29th we’ll meet at A-dec at 2601 Crestview Drive, Newberg OR 97132 (Map link)
Cost: $225/person ($375 non-members)
Register: email [email protected] (include: name, email, job title)
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Facilitator: Dr. Eric O. Olsen (LinkedIn profile)
As a Professor in Industrial Technology in the Orfalea College of Business at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, Eric teaches undergraduate and master’s courses in lean thinking, six sigma, and operations management. I have over 20 years of industry experience in engineering and manufacturing management at Caterpillar, Litton, and Hewlett Packard before earning his PhD at Ohio State University. Eric is the creator and instructor for Cal Poly’s Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt Certification Program. Eric is also the founder and Director of Central Coast Lean (CCL) dedicated to building a community of lean practice on the Central coast of California. CCL is a self-funded research project under the Orfalea College of Business. Its mission is to better understand how to build a community of lean practice. CCL promotes, runs, and studies improvement events, forums, workshops, and conferences.