Page 11 - The Toyota Way Fieldbook

Contents ix

Part V. Root Cause Problem Solving for Continuous Learning 305

13. Problem Solving the Toyota Way 307
More Than Solving Problems 307
Every Problem Is an Improvement Opportunity 309
Telling the Problem-Solving Story 313
14. Develop a Thorough Understanding of the
Situation and Define the Problem 323
Carefully Aim Before Firing 323
Find the True Problem to Get the Most Significant Results 327
Examining a Problem in Reverse 333
Defining the Problem 334
Building a Strong Supporting Argument 337
15. Complete a Thorough Root Cause Analysis 341
Principles of Effective Analysis 341
Seeking Problem Causes That Are Solvable 346
Distill Root Cause Analysis to Simplest Terms 349
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words 349
Putting It All Together: The A3 One-Page Report 351
Dig Deeply into Possible Causes 352
16. Consider Alternative Solutions While Building Consensus 356
Broadly Consider All Possibilities 356
Simplicity, Cost, Area of Control, and the Ability to Implement Quickly 357
Develop Consensus 359
Test Ideas for Effectiveness 360
Select the Best Solution 362
Define the Right Problem and the Solution Will Follow 362
17. Plan-Do-Check-Act 364
Plan: Develop an Action Plan 364
Do: Implement Solutions 368
Check: Verify Results 368
Act: Make Necessary Adjustments to Solutions and to the Action Plans 371
Act: Identify Future Steps 371
Finally Some Action 372

18. Telling the Story Using an A3 Report 376
Less Can Be More in Report Writing 376