FT Guide to Lean

5

Lean methods and tools (part II)

This chapter discusses A3 problem solving in Section 1 and standard work in Section 2.

SECTION 1: A3 PROBLEM SOLVING

Introduction

‘No one has more trouble, than the person who claims to have no trouble.’

Taiichi Ohno

Problem solving is central to Lean management and is the primary method of realising improved performance. The quotation above, from Taiichi Ohno (Toyota’s principal Lean sensei), shows that problems are welcomed in a Lean environment. In many businesses a culture of hiding problems is commonplace and this is extremely destructive to organisational success. In your organisation you should be pleased if you come across problems as they are the seeds of improvement.

A problem is defined as ...