An A3 problem solving template is a one-page layout that guides a team through a problem in a logical order: background, current condition, goal, root causes, countermeasures, implementation plan and follow-up. It follows the PDCA cycle and fits on a single sheet of A3 paper. You can download a free printable version below.
Download the free A3 problem solving template (PDF): one A3 landscape page with prompts for all seven sections. No sign-up needed.
Updated in October 2026 by the TeamAssurance team.
The template is the practical companion to A3 problem solving. For the method behind it, including coaching and how A3s compare with 8D and DMAIC, read the full guide. For a one-minute definition, see What is an A3 report?
What's on the Template
Across the top are spaces for a title, the owner and the date. The left side of the page covers Plan; the right side covers Do, Check and Act. Each section has a prompt question printed on it:
| Section | Question it answers |
|---|---|
| 1. Background | Why does this problem matter now? |
| 2. Current condition | What is actually happening? Use facts, data and sketches. |
| 3. Goal / target condition | What does good look like, and by when? |
| 4. Root cause analysis | Why is there a gap? Verify causes at the gemba. |
| 5. Countermeasures | What will we change to address each root cause? |
| 6. Implementation plan | Who does what, by when? |
| 7. Follow-up | Did it work? What will we standardise or adjust? |
Work through the sections in order. Each one depends on the one before: you can't set a sensible goal without knowing the current condition, and you can't choose good countermeasures without verified root causes.
A Filled-In Example
The example below shows a completed A3 for a recurring labeller jam on a packing line. The line, numbers and causes are invented for illustration.
Notice how little text it needs. The current condition is a short summary of four weeks of jam data, the goal is one measurable line with a date, and every countermeasure traces back to a verified root cause. The full guide walks through this example section by section.
How to Use the Template Well
The template is only a starting point. What makes an A3 work is the thinking that goes into it.
Go to the Gemba
Before filling in any section, go to where the work happens. Observe the process, talk to the people involved and collect real data. An A3 written in a meeting room is rarely effective.
Spend Most of Your Time on the Left Side
Resist the urge to jump to solutions. Time spent understanding the current condition and verifying root causes is what makes the countermeasures work.
Use Visuals
Charts, sketches and simple process maps say more than paragraphs. Use the limited space for a trend chart, a Pareto chart or a fishbone diagram rather than text.
Write in Pencil, and Share Early
Expect to redraft. Share your draft with colleagues, your mentor and the people affected. The back-and-forth, sometimes called catchball, is where much of the learning happens and where agreement is built.
Follow Through
An A3 isn't finished when the actions are done. It is finished when the results have been checked against the goal and the change has been standardised.
Common Template Mistakes
- Jumping to solutions. Filling in countermeasures before the root causes are understood.
- No data. Making claims about the current condition without evidence.
- Too much text. Walls of writing defeat the purpose of one page. Be visual and concise.
- A vague goal. "Improve quality" can't be checked. State a measure, a target and a date.
- Working alone. A3 problem solving is a team activity, guided by a mentor.
- No follow-up. Abandoning the A3 after the countermeasures section, so nobody knows if it worked.
Paper or Digital A3 Templates
Paper A3s are quick to start, easy to sketch on and work well pinned up next to the line. Their weakness shows as the number of A3s grows: it becomes hard to see which are on track, which actions are overdue and when reviews are due. Digital tools can provide a calendar view of A3 activities and review dates.
TeamAssurance includes A3 problem solving as a structured method covering problem statement, current state, root cause analysis, target state, countermeasures and implementation plan, with progress tracked through tiered daily management so A3s stay visible after they are written.
Frequently Asked Questions About A3 Templates
What are the sections of an A3 template?
Most A3 templates have seven sections: background, current condition, goal or target condition, root cause analysis, countermeasures, implementation plan and follow-up, plus a title, owner and date.
Is this A3 template free?
Yes. The PDF is free to download and print, with no sign-up needed. Print it on A3 paper in landscape orientation.
Can I use an A3 template for a report rather than a problem?
Yes. The same format is used for proposals and status reports, but the problem solving version is the most common. Whatever the purpose, keep to one page and tell the story in a logical order.
How do I fill in an A3 template?
Start with the background and current condition, using facts gathered at the gemba. Set a measurable goal, find and verify root causes, then plan countermeasures with owners and dates. Finish by checking results. The full guide to A3 problem solving explains each section with an example.
Want to see how TeamAssurance tracks A3s through daily tier meetings? Book a demo.