Quality & Operational Excellence

Problem Solving with 8D and A3 Methods

Structured problem-solving methods help teams find and eliminate root causes rather than treating symptoms. This course teaches the 8D discipline and A3 thinking, including problem definition, containment, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions, verification and standardisation.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Recurring problems waste time and damage customer trust. This course gives teams a disciplined approach to solving problems for good.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses real problem cases, team exercises, A3 writing practice and coaching.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Define problems clearly using facts and data
Apply the 8D problem-solving process
Use A3 thinking to structure and communicate problems
Identify root causes with appropriate tools
Implement and verify corrective and preventive actions
Standardise solutions and share learning

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Quality engineers and managers
Production and operations staff
Continuous improvement practitioners
Supplier quality engineers
Team leaders

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Problem definition
8D methodology
A3 thinking
Root cause analysis
Corrective action
Standardisation

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Structured Problem Solving

09:00–09:54Why problems recur
09:54–10:48Problem-solving methods
10:48–11:00Team roles
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Team roles (continued)
12:12–13:06Data and facts
13:06–14:00Exercise: Problem statements

Day 28D Disciplines 1–4

09:00–09:54Team formation
09:54–10:48Problem description
10:48–11:00Containment
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Containment (continued)
12:12–13:06Root cause analysis
13:06–14:00Workshop: 8D case part one

Day 38D Disciplines 5–8

09:00–09:54Corrective actions
09:54–10:48Implementation and verification
10:48–11:00Preventing recurrence
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Preventing recurrence (continued)
12:12–13:06Team recognition
13:06–14:00Workshop: 8D case part two

Day 4A3 Thinking

09:00–09:54A3 structure
09:54–10:48Current and target condition
10:48–11:00Countermeasures
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Countermeasures (continued)
12:12–13:06Coaching with A3
13:06–14:00Practice: Writing an A3

Day 5Embedding Problem Solving

09:00–09:54Standardisation
09:54–10:48Sharing lessons
10:48–11:00Building capability
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Building capability (continued)
12:12–13:06Measuring effectiveness
13:06–14:00Capstone: Problem-solving presentation

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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