A3s for Knowledge Work: A Collaborwocky Pro-Tip

Описание: In this video, we take the Lean A3 tool, popularized by John Shook and others, and expand it for use in knowledge work.

What is an A3 for?

When you have a problem, a potential improvement, or an opportunity for innovation, there are unknowns you need to solve for. The A3 is a single sheet of paper or grid on a screen that provides space to see the problem, the current state, the issues that could be solved, plans to solve them, and then the results of those actions.

How is a A3 different for knowledge work?

Knowledge work has greater variation, political issues, and complexities than work that is in a more controlled assembly line or manufacturing scenario. There are usually more people involved, more stakeholders means more collaboration is required for finding a solution. Lastly, the Gemba of knowledge work is much less observable than physical work which requires deeper systems to find solutions.

The A3, and Lean in general, is extremely useful for getting work done, solving problems, and improving our work, but requires some adjustments for a modern knowledge work or agile environment.