About the Authors
Meet the experts behind Understanding A3 Thinking
Art Smalley is a renowned expert in lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System. He worked for Toyota for several years in Japan and the United States, where he gained firsthand experience with the company's legendary production methods.
As President of Art of Lean, Inc., he has helped numerous organizations worldwide implement lean principles and improve their operations. His deep understanding of A3 Thinking comes from years of practical application and teaching.
Art has authored multiple books and articles on lean management and continues to be a sought-after consultant and speaker in the field.
Durward K. Sobek II is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Montana State University. His research focuses on lean product development, organizational learning, and knowledge management.
Dr. Sobek has conducted extensive research on the Toyota Product Development System and has published numerous academic papers and books on lean thinking and continuous improvement. His academic rigor combined with practical insights has made him a leading voice in the field.
He has consulted with organizations across various industries, helping them apply A3 Thinking and lean principles to improve their problem-solving capabilities and organizational learning.
Why They Wrote This Book
Art Smalley and Durward K. Sobek II combined their complementary expertise—Art's practical experience at Toyota and Durward's academic research—to create a comprehensive guide to A3 Thinking. Their goal was to demystify this powerful problem-solving methodology and make it accessible to practitioners at all levels.