A3 Story Boards

Heading Plan
Do
Adjust
Do
Plan

Check
Act/
Adjust
(Act)
Footnotes

Check
Dave LaHote
March 11, 2005

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 1

 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) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 2

 Typical Story Board Layout
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check Adjust

Footnotes

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 3

 Heading Content
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
Footnotes

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

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 4

 Plan
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
Footnotes

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)

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 5

 Do
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
Footnotes

Countermeasures put in place

Short term fixes
Long term root cause elimination
Action plans for the countermeasures
(gant chart?, who, what, where, when)

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 6

 Check
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
Footnotes

Results of actions

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 7

 Act/Adjust
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
Footnotes

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

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 8

 Footnotes
Heading

Do
Plan
Act/
Check
Adjust
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

PDCA Story Boards (A3s) Copyright 2005 David LaHote 9