A3

A3 is a mindset and a structured problem-solving method that captures the essential context, analysis, actions, and follow-up on a single A3-sized page to enable clear thinking and communication.

Key Points

  • It is both a way of thinking and a concise one-page problem-solving report.
  • Follows a logical flow: background, current state, target, root cause, countermeasures, plan, results, and follow-up.
  • Supports PDCA and continuous improvement through data-driven learning.
  • Makes the problem visible, aligning stakeholders and enabling coaching and ownership.

Example

A Scrum Master sees recurring spillover each sprint. The team builds an A3: they document the current state (50% of stories carry over), analyze flow data, find root causes (unclear acceptance criteria and excessive WIP), and define countermeasures (refinement checklist, WIP limits, and pairing during testing). They execute the plan and review results on the same A3, reducing spillover to under 10% in four sprints.

PMP Example Question

Which tool best supports concise, systematic problem-solving by summarizing context, analysis, countermeasures, and results on one A3-sized page?

  1. A3
  2. Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram
  3. Risk register
  4. Issue log

Correct Answer: A — A3

Explanation: The A3 combines a structured thinking process with a one-page format to capture the problem, analysis, actions, and learning in a single visual document.

Leadership for Project Managers Course

Lead with clarity, confidence, and real impact. This Leadership for Project Managers course turns day-to-day challenges—unclear priorities, tough stakeholders, and cross-functional friction—into opportunities to guide teams and deliver outcomes that matter.

You’ll learn practical leadership skills tailored to project realities: setting direction without overcontrol, creating alignment across functions, and building commitment even when authority is limited. We go beyond theory with tools you can use immediately—one-sentence visioning, stakeholder influence maps, decision framing, and feedback scripts that actually land.

Expect hands-on frameworks, real-world examples, and guided practice to prepare for tough moments—executive readouts, resistance from stakeholders, and high-stakes negotiations. Downloadable templates and checklists keep everything actionable when the pace gets intense.

Ready to influence without waiting for a bigger title? Join a community of ambitious PMs, sharpen your edge, and deliver with purpose—project after project.



Take Control of Project Performance!

HK School of Management helps you go beyond status reports and gut feelings. In this advanced course, you’ll master Earned Value Management (EVM) to objectively measure progress, forecast outcomes, and take corrective action with confidence. Learn how WBS quality drives performance, how control accounts really work, and how to use EAC, TCPI, and variance analysis to make smarter decisions—before projects drift off track. Built around real-world examples and hands-on exercises, this course gives you practical tools you can apply immediately. Backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee—low risk, high impact for serious project professionals.

Learn More