Why We Created AI A3 Prompts
For decades, A3 thinking has been one of the most powerful problem-solving approaches—but it's also been one of the hardest to master. The structured PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) thinking that makes A3 so effective requires practice, coaching, and often years of experience to develop.
That's why we've developed something revolutionary: AI A3 Prompts—a library of specialized prompts that work with ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI assistants to guide you through each step of the A3 problem-solving process.
The Challenge with Traditional A3 Learning
When you're learning A3 thinking, you typically face several hurdles:
- Finding a mentor who understands A3 thinking deeply enough to coach you
- Getting timely feedback when you're stuck on a particular step
- Remembering all the questions you should be asking at each stage
- Maintaining rigor in your thinking when you're working alone
- Avoiding common mistakes that derail the problem-solving process
Even experienced practitioners sometimes struggle with specific aspects like root cause analysis or setting meaningful goals. The traditional solution was to find a sensei—a teacher who could guide you. But not everyone has access to that kind of mentoring.
How AI Changes the Game
AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude can serve as virtual thinking partners—but only if you know how to use them effectively. That's where our AI A3 Prompts come in.
We've distilled decades of A3 thinking experience into carefully crafted prompts that:
- Ask the right questions at each step of the problem-solving process
- Challenge your assumptions and push you to think deeper
- Provide structure without being overly prescriptive
- Offer frameworks like 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, and 5W2H
- Keep you focused on facts and data rather than opinions
Think of these prompts as having an A3 sensei available 24/7, ready to coach you through any problem-solving challenge.
The 9 Essential Prompts
Our AI A3 Prompts Library includes 10 specialized prompts corresponding to the key stages of A3 thinking:
1. Getting Started Prompt
Helps you determine if A3 thinking is the right approach for your situation and guides you in problem selection.
2. Clarify the Background Prompt
Guides you through understanding the context using the 5W2H framework (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How, How Much).
3. Define the Problem Prompt
Helps you craft a clear, specific problem statement that focuses on gaps rather than solutions.
4. Set a Goal Prompt
Assists in establishing SMART goals that are meaningful, measurable, and aligned with organizational objectives.
5. Root Cause Analysis Prompt
Walks you through systematic root cause analysis using 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, and data validation.
6. Develop Countermeasures Prompt
Guides countermeasure development that addresses root causes, not just symptoms.
7. Check Results Prompt
Helps you verify that your countermeasures actually worked and achieved your goals.
8. Standardize & Follow Up Prompt
Ensures lasting improvement through standardization and horizontal deployment (yokoten).
9. Reflection & Yokoten Prompt
Facilitates learning capture and knowledge sharing across your organization.
Plus: How to Use A3 Prompts Guide
A comprehensive PDF guide that explains the philosophy behind the prompts and best practices for AI-assisted problem solving.
How to Use the Prompts
Using these prompts is straightforward:
Step 1: Download the Prompt
Visit our AI A3 Prompts Library and download the prompt for the step you're working on.
Step 2: Open Your AI Assistant
Open ChatGPT, Claude, or your preferred AI assistant in a new conversation.
Step 3: Load the Prompt
- For PDF prompts: Open the PDF and copy the prompt text
- For Markdown prompts: Open the .md file in a text editor and copy the content
- Paste the entire prompt into your AI assistant
Step 4: Engage in Dialogue
The AI will guide you through a series of questions and frameworks. Answer thoughtfully, and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions or request clarification.
Step 5: Document Your Work
As you progress through the conversation, capture key insights, data, and decisions in your A3 report.
Real-World Example
Let's say you're working on reducing defects in a manufacturing process. Here's how you might use the prompts:
Monday morning: Use the Getting Started Prompt to confirm this is a good problem for A3 and understand the scope.
Monday afternoon: Load the Clarify Background Prompt to systematically gather context about when defects occur, which products are affected, and what's already been tried.
Tuesday: Work with the Define Problem Prompt to craft a clear problem statement like "Defect rate on Product X increased from 2% to 8% starting in September 2024."
Wednesday: Use the Root Cause Analysis Prompt to methodically work through potential causes, asking "why" at each level until you identify the true root cause.
You get the idea—each prompt provides expert guidance exactly when you need it.
What Makes These Prompts Different
You might be thinking, "Can't I just ask ChatGPT to help me solve a problem?" Yes, but there's a huge difference between general AI assistance and structured A3 thinking:
- Our prompts follow proven methodology: Based on decades of Toyota experience and lean problem-solving
- They maintain rigor: Push you to gather facts, validate assumptions, and avoid jumping to solutions
- They teach while they help: You'll learn A3 thinking as you use the prompts
- They're comprehensive: Cover all eight steps of the A3 process, not just brainstorming
- They're field-tested: Developed by Art Smalley and refined through real-world application
Who Should Use These Prompts?
AI A3 Prompts are valuable for:
Beginners
If you're new to A3 thinking, these prompts provide the structure and guidance you need to get started without a human mentor immediately available.
Experienced Practitioners
Even if you've used A3 for years, these prompts can help you:
- Work through particularly challenging problems
- Get unstuck when you're not sure what to do next
- Ensure you're not missing critical steps
- Refresh your thinking on steps you use less frequently
Teams
Use the prompts to facilitate team problem-solving sessions, ensuring everyone understands the methodology and stays focused.
Coaches and Mentors
Use these prompts as teaching tools, showing new learners how to think through problems systematically.
Best Practices for AI-Assisted A3
To get the most from AI A3 Prompts:
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Use one prompt at a time: Don't rush through all eight steps in one session. Take time to think deeply about each stage.
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Go to the gemba: AI can help you think, but you still need to gather real data from the actual place where work happens.
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Engage stakeholders: AI is a thinking partner, not a replacement for human collaboration. Share your work with others and get their input.
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Validate with data: When AI suggests hypotheses or causes, test them with real data from your process.
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Iterate and refine: Don't expect perfect answers on the first try. Use the AI dialogue to refine your thinking iteratively.
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Document as you go: Capture insights in your A3 report while they're fresh in your mind.
Beyond the Basics: What's Coming Next
Our AI A3 Prompts Library is just the beginning. We're developing additional tools to make AI-assisted problem solving even more powerful:
- Interactive A3 Builder: A guided web tool that walks you through creating an A3 report step by step
- Specialized Industry Prompts: Customized versions for healthcare, software development, service industries, and more
- Team Collaboration Tools: Features for using AI prompts in group problem-solving sessions
- Progress Tracking: Tools to help you manage multiple A3 projects simultaneously
Stay tuned by visiting our AI Tools page to see what's in development.
Get Started Today
The AI A3 Prompts Library is completely free and available for immediate download. No registration required, no strings attached—just powerful problem-solving tools you can use right now.
Download the AI A3 Prompts Library →
Whether you're tackling a manufacturing defect, improving a business process, solving a software bug, or addressing any other problem that requires structured thinking, these prompts can help you work through it methodically and effectively.
Questions?
The prompts include detailed instructions, but if you have questions about using AI for A3 thinking, check our FAQ page or reach out to us at info@a3thinking.com.
Share Your Experience
We'd love to hear how you're using AI A3 Prompts. What problems are you solving? What works well? What could be better? Your feedback helps us improve these tools for everyone.
Ready to solve problems more effectively? Download the AI A3 Prompts Library and experience how AI can accelerate your problem-solving journey while deepening your understanding of A3 thinking.