Introducing Our A3 Thinking Website

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 Toolbox

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

A3 Workshop Worksheets

 

A3 Tools - Left Side - Current Conditions & Analysis

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

 

A3 Status Reports

Personal Development Plans - PDP A3

Other Improvement Tools

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

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! 

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."

 

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

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

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)

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