Managing to Learn: Using the A3 Management Process to Solve Problems, Gain Agreement, Mentor and Lead

by John Shook

Rare book

Genres: Business, Management, Leadership, Nonfiction, Productivity

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best management books I have read in a long time. I love the applicable A3 as a tool, but even better, knowing that the tool is really the way you think, not the form itself. I will use this immediately. Definitely a must read for everyone.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes a while to get used to the format of this book: two stories run side-by-side (sort of). They don't match up exactly, but the reader is bouncing back and forth from the perspective of the mentor and the "mentee" in a rigorous problem solving process. Mixed in with that are random, bite-sized bits of reference info - a tad odd, but it works. I like the creativity of the layout, but will need to sift back through to find the key points in the future. Recommended if you're fairly familiar with Lean concepts, and want to get better at the A3/problem-solving stuff.

[Victor Zu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Authority is created by framing the issue properly and gaining agreement.”

[Emily Arthur]

Read in preparation for a company problem solving training.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Managing to Learn" is an excellent book for managers and coaches of A3 authors/advocates. John Shook is a true sensei with 11 years of Toyota history and real world experience in helping organizations with Lean transformations. I have been learning a lot from his incredible blog posts recently as well.

My organization is about 5 months into our A3 launch so I have been researching a lot for best practices and ideas. I initially thought this book was going to be a "how to" guide for the author of the A3. You can probably understand how to write an A3 from this book but it is not as explicit as Sobek/Smalley's book. I believe managers and coaches should read both books.

Where this book truly shines is getting into the head of the A3 mentor. A lot of Lean books are written from an academic standpoint but this book feels more like a day in the life of someone actually doing the work. The pressure the manager feels organizationally to get things completed in contrast to allowing the A3 author time to learn is a true struggle I have seen in Lean transformations. The book has a part where the manager is dealing with multiple A3 authors all at different stages in their learning. I know these are true mental challenges for coaches so it is nice to relate to a character going through the same things.

Coaches can learn a lot from this book to help the A3 author’s growth and deep understanding.

Some great things I learned from the book is how to encourage more than one counter-measure, using respect through conflict, helping the author make valid decisions and transition from author to advocate, pull-based authority, using 5 whys after implementing in the check/act cycle, and how to help the A3 writer become a coach themselves.

I think this book would be interesting to Project Managers as well. The last few chapters offer some great insight on how to deal with iterative changes and dealing with cultural resistance.

[J Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good friend recommended this book late last year. I bought it and have skimmed it a few times; getting a general flavor. At his recent prompting, I sat down and read it through---and I'm glad I did. There is much to learn from Mr. Shook's able description of the A3 process and he teaches using a method similar to that used in The Goal---however, this is much better. There are a few moments when the scenarios seemed a bit contrived, but the point was made. I plan to re-read and put into action in several areas of interest. This book is highly recommended.

[Katrine Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent leadership book I had to read to prepare for corporate problem solving process (i.e. PSP) training here in the near future. I like how the examples discussed were recent and relevant, and had timely reminders to self (i.e. don't jump to conclusions/solutions before framing the problem etc). Was the higher rating partially due to the fact I generally agreed with author's approach? Sure. The other business book I'm reading leaves me way more conflicted so this read was comparitively smooth and I'm good with that!

[Stuart Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another useful and insightful book from John Shook, this together with the others from the Lean Institute form a fantastic base foundation for Lean implementation. Once I realised that there was a gap in my Lean knowledge I was happily surprised that John had written a book on A3.
It's not heavy in theory or equations, it guides you through the A3 process taking the style of writing like 'The Goal' where the learning is done in the narrative of a story.
Definitely a recommended read to others wanting to learn this process.

[Heather Carreiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never flown through a book for a graduate class in two days before, and while actually reading every word. Shook's dual narrative approach makes this in-depth book on Lean Management, and specifically the A3 approach, accessible and interesting. I recommend this book for anyone in leadership or teaching. As an educator, I can immediately implement so many of these concepts to grow learners and leaders in my classes.

[Tomas Verbeeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Managing to learn tells the story of a problem that needs to be resolved in a new factory in the States.
It tells about the Toyota A3-thinking, offering a framework to resolve problems at their roots and not jump the gun. The narrative, as told from 2 points of view; the coach & the coachee, help to grasp the key learnings from the book.

Solid book with teachings that should be applied in a lot of institutions.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far the best lean related book I've read. Complemented well the training sessions we had earlier in the spring. Also a total eye opener in terms of understanding how to lead other individuals go through the problem solving process in a structured way. Highly recommended to anybody who has even some degree of exposure to lean in their professional environment.

[Thi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very approachable in describing how to solve problems with the Toyota A3 method. It describes how to learn to manage - both from the mentor's but also from the learners perspective. It does this by describing the learning/coaching stages from both POVs simultaneously which I actually did find useful.

[Roberto Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livro didático de como você pode preparar o seu A3. Melhor ainda se a leitura for feita previamente ou durante a sua preparação de um A3 real. Você vai perceber situações do seu dia a dia bem próximas dos personagens.

O A3 é muito bem descrito além de uma ferramenta ou processo, faz parte do aprendizado de como se resolver problemas.

[Horia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic overview of the A3 way of thinking and improving the way of work. I love how John has written it as two books in one, sharing both the story of the learner and the story of the coach side by side.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool way to describe the A3 process! A little difficult to understand at times with going back and forth between the mentor and mentee but I got used to it. Really created the dynamic conversations/thoughts needed to go back and forth during this process. Definitely will help me at work!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good primer on the A3 process and one that I'll keep handy for reference. I appreciated the layout which illustrated the process both from the A3 user's role and that of the sponsor or mentor.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

They could have covered the content just as well with half of the pages.

[David Goade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrates the magic of the A3 process like no other book I've read -- drawing solutions out of people rather than trying to be the one with all the answers.

[Ruth Wendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for work but enjoyed learning the A3 process.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An short 62 page slide deck on A3 method. It give a clear overview of the A3 method but there is only one example.

[Rashad Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story about creating and managing A3 processes

[Leah Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back a forth style this is written in takes some adjusting but definitely a worthy read if you're writing A3s.

[Cuong Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOG

[Huseyin Karademir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eger problem cozmek istiyorsaniz yalın sistemin onerdigi A3 metodolojisini ogrenmeniz gerekmektedir. Kitapta bu konu detayli ve orneklerle anlatilmaktadir

[Paddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, loved the clear narrative that ran through with a constantly updating example.

[Alda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most practical methods for continuous improvement mindset in the workplace.

[Arjun Babu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book to learn lean and improve thinking process in organisation!!!

[Lucille Maddalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to understand the basics. I recommend it to my coaching and leadership clients. Provides clear steps to apply the process and solve problems

[Josh Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for problem solving using the A3 process. More businesses would be successful if they used these principles.

I liked the story structure as a method for learning as well.

[Kimberlli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting way of telling a story. It manages to both be engaging and educational at the same time.