PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 1© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

A3 Story BoardsHeading

Plan

Do

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

Dave LaHoteMarch 11, 2005

Plan

Do

Check

Adjust(Act)

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 2© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

An A3 is a PDCA Story Board(not a form, not even a standardized format)

• Adjusted for the type of story being told (quality problem versus company strategy)

• Always the four steps of Plan, Do, Check and Act/Adjust

• No exact or specific look or format• The more visual the better (pictures, charts, no

small print)

• Fits on one page (use baby A3s for complicated stories)

• Must flow as a story (visual story teller)

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 3© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Typical Story Board Layout

Heading

Plan

Do

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 4© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Heading Content

• What is this story about (type of story, size, scope, etc.)

• Who it is about ( business unit, department, team, etc.)

• Who is on the team telling the story and who is the leader

• What time frame does the story cover

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 5© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Plan

• The problem and team (good problem statement based on data)

• Present (or starting) conditions and any background info required (pareto charts?, histograms?)

• Analysis of the current situation – Common tools used by the organization every time

• Cause & Effect Diagrams• 5 Whys• Etc.

• Improvement goal (measurable results and time bound)

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 6© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Do

• Countermeasures put in place– Short term fixes– Long term root cause elimination

• Action plans for the countermeasures (gant chart?, who, what, where, when)

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 7© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Check

• Results of actions

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 8© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Act/Adjust

• Adjustments made

• Standardization put in place to insure continued results (standardized work, training, etc.)

• Next target for improvement and/or next review cycle for this issue

• Any additional follow-up actions required

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) 9© Copyright 2005 David LaHote

Footnotes

• When story was completed

• Who reviewed the story and signed off on the results and standardization

• What additional action (if any) needs to take place

Heading

PlanDo

CheckAct/

Adjust

Footnotes