Page 405 - The Toyota Way Fieldbook

378 THE TOYOTA WAY FIELDBOOK

solving story, to a story that gives the status of a project, to an information story.
There is a natural flow between these story types. Often, projects will begin with
a proposal story to get approval to invest resources in the project, and then, as
the project progresses, there will be a story of the problem-solving process, sta-
tus stories at key milestones in the project, and an information story to present
the results. Each person crafts the A3 for the specific purpose of their “story,”
but there are some standard formats taught within Toyota.
In some cases the A3 is used to propose a change, for example, in a process or
the purchase of equipment (called “business cases” in some companies). For these
“proposal stories,” it is necessary to complete an A3 with the problem statement,
analysis of current conditions, a proposed action (the change or purchase), and the
anticipated result (both cost and improvement expected). Sufficient information
should be presented so a decision can easily be made. At Toyota any major expen-
diture is an important decision, and if sufficient information was not presented,
the A3 preparer would surely be sent back to gather additional facts. A format for
the proposal story is shown in Figure 18-2.
A “status story” reports at key milestones in an important project (Figure 18-3).
Examples include an annual plan, a review of a project, and a design review in
engineering a new product. This story must start with clear objectives, the

THEME

INTRODUCTION PLAN
Reason for
Basic concept, Background, or Required Expected
Required Responsibility
Basic Strategy, and Condition Effect
Condition
How it fits into the big picture
What? /
Why? What Who
How?

PROPOSAL UNRESOLVED ISSUES
How to deploy Unresolved issues and
Basic Concept How to overcome obstacles
(Vital Points) i.e., How to negotiate with related departments,
anticipated problems and resolutions

ACTION PLAN (SCHEDULE)
How to deploy plan
Schedule / Timeline

AUTHOR:______________________ DATE: ______________
Figure 18-2. Proposal story