This is the template to use for a Problem-Solving A3. It most resembles the type of A3 report found in Managing to Learn by John Shook.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
March 18th, 2012
Updated: 
March 18th, 2012
LAMDA: PDCA for Knowledge Workers

Key Takeaways:

  • LAMDA is a form of the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle of continuous improvement.
  • LAMDA defines the actions that take place in the Plan and Check steps of PDCA:
    Look, Ask, Model and Discuss.
  • It corrects for the Western tendency to skimp on planning and move quickly to action.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
April 26th, 2010
Updated: 
April 26th, 2010
How to Tame Wild Octopi: Lean Thinking for Wicked Problems

Key Takeaways:

  • Wicked problems defy solutions using traditional problem-solving methods.
  • The key to a wicked problem is understanding competing stakeholder needs and acceptable trade-offs to develop a negotiated solution.
  • We tame a wicked problem by deciding what interests are the most important and then using a series of rapid learning cycles to explore potential solutions.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
May 20th, 2010
Updated: 
May 20th, 2010
Knowledge Driven Leadership: Drive Your Organization Towards a Culture of Systematic Problem Solving

Key Takeaways:

  • Knowledge-driven leadership creates a culture of systematic problem-solving.
  • The most important thing a leader can do is to use LAMDA, visibly, to solve the problems at his or her level. The 2nd most important is to ask team members to use LAMDA.
  • There are opportunities for knowledge-driven leadership in each of the four value streams.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
May 26th, 2011
Updated: 
May 26th, 2011
Four Box Problem Solving: A Jump Start into a Rapid Learning Cycle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Four Box problem-solving method is a brainstorming tool to help you begin to understand the problem that your rapid learning cycle will solve.
  • The four boxes help you capture what you already understand about the problem and what you intend to do next.
  • The brainstorming technique is not a substitute for going to the source to make observations, confirm possible causes or evaluate solutions - but it can get you started.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
August 26th, 2010
Updated: 
August 26th, 2010
LOOK AGAIN: How to Conduct an Actionable Reflection Even to Capture Reusable Knowledge

Key Takeaways:

  • LOOK AGAIN closes the loop of the LAMDA cycle to ensure that learning continues.
  • Most post-project reviews do not capture reusable knowledge: it’s too project-specific, reports are too inaccessible and sometimes, lack of safety leads to lack of candor.
  • Actionable reflection events develop generalized, actionable and accessible knowledge that is more likely to have lasting benefit for the organization.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
December 15th, 2010
Updated: 
December 15th, 2010
Plan to ACT: A Deep Dive into the ACT step of the LAMDA Cycle

Key Takeaways:

  • The final step before moving into ACT is to build the implementation plan.
  • In PDCA, the PLAN step can lead to the misconception that the implementation plan is the focus of the step’s activity - LAMDA puts the focus on good problem-solving.
  • A good implementation plan helps teams throughout the entire ACT stage, even though the plan itself will almost certainly change before ACT is finished.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
December 9th, 2010
Updated: 
December 9th, 2010
Prepare to DISCUSS: A Deep Dive into the DISCUSS step of the LAMDA Cycle

Key Takeaways:

  • DISCUSS builds understanding and support from the people who will make a decision - and the people who will be charged with carrying it out.
  • The DISCUSS step should include decision-makers and those impacted by the decision, as well as outside perspectives from experts and others with fresh eyes.
  • You are ready to act when decision-makers are ready to commit to a decision.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
December 2nd, 2010
Updated: 
December 2nd, 2010
The Power of Visual Models: A Deep Dive into the MODEL step of the LAMDA Cycle

Key Takeaways:

  • MODEL ensures that people build a shared understanding of the problem - and proposed solutions - before making decisions.
  • 65% of the population are visual learners who respond especially well to visual models.
  • Effective models are focused, simple, empathetic, supportive of the narrative and accurate enough for the audience.

More Details:


Author: 
Katherine Radeka
Created: 
November 18th, 2010
Updated: 
November 18th, 2010