Introducing Our A3 Thinking Website

A3Thinking

We are excited to announce this pilot website.  Our goals are to support leaders to continue learning, practicing and implementing A3 Thinking.  We will attempt to keep this site updated to share our best thinking about:

  • What is A3 Thinking and why is it important?
  • What are we currently doing to support new and existing A3 practitioners?
  • What are the templates and tools we are using?
  • What are we doing to continuously improve our use of A3 Thinking to achieve True North?

Thanks for checking us out. We welcome your feedback, questions and ideas!

A3 THINKING OVERVIEW

WORKSHOPS AND LABS

A3 TOOLBOX

A3 Toolbox

A3Thinking

A3 Toolbox

The purpose of this page is to support leaders and trainees with our current best thinking about templates and tools.

 

1. A3 and PDSA Templates
2. A3 Worksheets
3. Left Side Tools
4. Right Side Tools

5. A3-Status Reports and PIPS Templates
6. Personal Development Plan A3s
7. Other Tools and Templates

 

A3 and PDSA Templates

ZSFG A3 Template 180223

February A3 Template (PPT) - New template includes branding, clearer headers. Subtle change regarding reporting results in Follow Up Box since January.

Bonus: Slide 2 tips/primer page and Slide 3 analysis tool templates

A3 Analysis Tools Templates

A3 Analysis Tool Templates (PPT)- This slide includes templates for tools commonly used in analyzing problems

PDSA Template

PDSA template (Doc) used for documenting and implementing Plan-Do-Study-Adjust

A3 Workshop Worksheets

ZSFG A3 Day #1 Worksheet

Workshop Day #1 Worksheet (PDF) - Focuses just on the Left Side with Tips/Prompts

ZSFG A3 Day #2 Worksheets

Workshop Day #2 Worksheets (PDF)- The first template focuses on Analysis, then the second template through follow-up

 

A3 Tools - Left Side - Current Conditions & Analysis

Background Exercise Instructions

Background Exercise instructions (PDF) used in our Leadership Academy to support a team discussion: "What is our problem? And why is it important now?"

Swimlane Mapping Instructions

Standard work instructions (PDF) used in our Lab to complete a swimlane mapping exercise and understand what is currently happening.

Analysis Worksheets

Worksheets (PDF) used in our A3 Lab on four high yield analysis tools - Fishbone, Problem Tree, Stratification, Pareto

A3 Tools - Right Side - Countermeasures, Implementation and Follow-Up

PICK Charts

Countermeasures and PICK Chart - Great activity for team discussion and prioritization of possible countermeasures.

PDSA Template

PDSA template (Doc) used for documenting and implementing Plan-Do-Study-Adjust

 

A3 Status Reports

A3-Status Report Template - General

A3-Status Report Template (PPT) - Serves as a summary follow-up document for our A3s.

PIPS Report - A3-SR Template for PIPS

PIPS Report Template (Doc) used for reporting to the ZSFG Performance Improvement Patient Safety Committee

PIPS Report - Standard Work Instructions

Our Standard Work Instructions for completing a PIPS Report Template (Doc) used for reporting to the ZSFG Performance Improvement Patient Safety Committee

Personal Development Plans - PDP A3

PDP A3 - Template for Expanded Exec

Personal Development Plan A3 Template (PPT) designed specifically for ZSFG Expanded Executive Committee Jan 2018. File also includes the general PDP A3 Template (p2) and PDP A3-SR Template (p3)

PDP A3 General Template

Personal Development Plan A3 Template (PPT)

PDP A3-SR General Template

Personal Development Plan A3-SR Template (PPT) designed as a follow-up document to summarize and ensure ongoing PDSA of a Personal Development Plan A3

Other Improvement Tools

Standard Work Instructions

Standard Work Instructions Template (doc) - Portrait orientation. Used in combination with PDSA to document current best known way to accomplish a process.

Time Observation Form

Time Observation Form (XCL) used by team members to observe specific steps or tasks in a process and document time and problems.

Academy Poster Template

Poster template (PPT) used in our Leadership Academy to present group improvement projects, styled after A3-Status Reports.

Housestaff Incentive Program Templates

A3 and A3-SR Templates (Doc) used to propose and report on housestaff quality improvement programs through our Housestaff Incentive Program.

A3 THINKING OVERVIEW

WORKSHOPS AND LABS

A3 TOOLBOX

UPDATES IN A3 THINKING

For further information not answered here, please contact:

William Huen MD, MS, MPH

Associate Chief Medical Officer
Medical Director, Quality Management and Kaizen Promotion Office
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Medicine

Sharepoint (DPH/UCSF Outlook 365 Login): https://sfgov1.sharepoint.com/sites/DPH-ZSFGWay

A3 Workshop & Learning Lab

A3Thinking

A3 Workshops and Learning Labs

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Please Note: Although we are not able to hold in-person workshops or learning labs, our problem solving has not stopped.  We are testing a virtual learning series using sharepoint, teams and online video coaching. Please contact us directly for more information! 

A3 Thinking 2-Day Workshops

Submit Application for A3 Thinking Workshop (Microsoft Form)

Registering for A3 Thinking 2-Day Workshops :

  • Goal: To support leaders with learning and practicing A3 Thinking
  • Who: UCSF and DPH Leaders nominated by supervisors to lead improvement work aligned with organizational priorities.  
  • What is required once you have enrolled:
    • Pre-Read Managing to Learn and Humble Inquiry 
    • Select an important, focused Problem with Supervisor
    • Attend BOTH Day #1 and Day #2 trainings (8-4:30, ~30 days apart
    • Attend two Learning Labs (1.5 hours each)
    • Complete mid- and post-workshop homework
    • One complete A3 Draft 30 days after Day #2
  • Features: Day 1 & 2 30 days apart, learning labs, workbooks, templates, tools, examples, 14.25 CME   
  • When: We generally offer six cohorts to 25 trainees each, divided three times per year
  • To add a leader to the wait list, submit this link:
    • Name: 
    • Role/Title/Dept: 
    • Proposed Problem: 
    • Sponsor: 

"Great mix of teaching, practice, small and large group discussions and support!"

"100% of attendees report I would recommend this course to a colleague."

 

A3 Learning Labs & Coaching

How to Register for the A3 Learning Lab: 

  • Goal: To support your completion and implementation of A3 improvement plans 
  • Who: ZSFG and DPH Leaders familiar with A3 Thinking
  • What: Our KPO/QM Teams offers once to twice weekly Learning Labs (10:30-12, Wed,+/- Fridays) to support leaders familiar with A3s
  • Agenda: 1) Review A3 Thinking teaching (20 min), followed by coaching/practice/catchball of A3s (50 min)
  • Topics:
    • Background/Current Conditions/Problem Statements (toolbox: swimlanes, process maps)
    • Analysis (toolbox: fishbone, 5 whys problem trees, stratification, pareto)
    • Countermeasures  (toolbox: PICK charts)
    • PDSA  (toolbox: PDSA, Gantt charts) 
    • A3-Status Reports (see PIPS Labs)
  • To Sign up, please contact aldon.mendez@sfdph.org

“Incredibly valuable to have this time, and a personal coach helping to think it through!” - A3 Lab Attendee

A3 THINKING OVERVIEW

WORKSHOPS AND LABS

A3 TOOLBOX

UPDATES IN A3 THINKING

For further information not answered here, please contact:

William Huen MD, MS, MPH

Associate Chief Medical Officer
Medical Director, Quality Management and Kaizen Promotion Office
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Medicine

Sharepoint (DPH/UCSF Outlook 365 Login): https://sfgov1.sharepoint.com/sites/DPH-ZSFGWay

A3 Thinking

A3Thinking

Welcome to A3 Thinking at ZSFG

Supporting Leaders to Learn and Practice Problem Solving

The ZSFG KPO can now be found on sharepoint: https://sfgov1.sharepoint.com/sites/DPH-ZSFGWay/SitePages/Home.aspx (UCSF or SFDPH Microsoft 365 login is required)

A3 THINKING OVERVIEW

WORKSHOPS AND LABS

A3 TOOLBOX

UPDATES IN A3 THINKING

For further information not answered here, please contact:

William Huen MD, MS, MPH

Associate Chief Medical Officer
Medical Director, Quality Management and Kaizen Promotion Office
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF Department of Medicine

Sharepoint (DPH/UCSF Outlook 365 Login): https://sfgov1.sharepoint.com/sites/DPH-ZSFGWay