Comparing the Methods of A3 and Canvas

Abstract

The method of A3, which originated in the framework of the Toyota Production System, is used for collaborative problem solving, status reporting, and presenting proposals. It is now widely used as a part of the implementation of lean in different industries. In turn, the Canvas method was initially developed, through academic research, for generating business models, but over time it has been generalised for many other situations. In subsequent research, design principles for Canvases have been developed. The use of the Canvas method has rapidly increased in practice. As these two methods seem to have similarities regarding application areas and working principles, it is of interest to compare them. The following questions are addressed: How are these two methods similar and dissimilar? Are there underlying theories that could shed new light on both methods? A better understanding of these methods, both theoretically and practically, might be beneficial for their use in different contexts and scenarios. Especially, enhanced mastery of these methods would be instrumental for collaborative resolution of the well-known problems in construction.

Innovations in framework synthesis as a systematic review method

“…For example, it can be utilized with stakeholder input to understand engagement in research; to think critically on the research process; and to advise on the research as it develops . In this sense, the framework synthesis acts as a flexible boundary object based on concepts belonging to different communities …”

The Extended Reality Canvas – How Can Organizations Successfully Implement XR Projects?

“…Ein spezifisches komponentenbasiertes Visualisierungsinstrument stellt das Canvas dar, das zur Strukturierung von Planungs-oder Problemlösungsprozessen eingesetzt werden kann (Bertagnolli et al 2018). Es besteht K aus mehreren Handlungsfeldern, die durch die Anwender zu befüllen sind und den vorliegenden Sachverhalt thematisch differenzieren (Koskela et al 2020). Die Einteilung und Anordnung der Felder erfolgt dabei in einer semantisch sinnvollen Reihenfolge, sodass Anwender durch die Erzeugung des Planungs-und Lösungsprozesses geleitet werden.…”

“…Es dient der Erzeugung und Ausdifferenzierung von Geschäftsmodellen, welches sich im Zeitverlauf zu einer "bekannten[n], beliebte [n] und anerkannte[n] Methode" (Bertagnolli et al 2018) in der Betriebswirtschaftslehre entwickelt hat. Seitdem wurde die komponentenbasierte Methodik zunehmend generalisiert und in andere Themengebiete überführt (Koskela et al 2020) (Vaezipour et al 2021;van Lopik et al 2020). Bei großen Datenmengen kann es zudem aufgrund mangelnder Robustheit zu Datenstaus kommen, was sich visualisiert als Stocken oder Verzerrung auswirkt (Berkemeier et al 2019).…”

Recognizing non-designers’ contribution in the process of designing information on visual management boards: a metaphorical approach

“…The VM literature, as outlined in this paper, emphasizes two methods when participants generate such visual outputs – the Canvas method (a business management method developed by academics) and the A3 method (originated in Toyota Production Systems). Work teams use the methods to, for example, visualize problems and support communication (Chakravorty 2009), decision-making, and sharing of ideas (Tjell & Bosch-Sijtsema 2015), to solve problems, learn from each other’s, and develop design solutions (Koskela et al 2020). However, the theoretical foundation of these participatory design methods is not well-substantiated, particularly not the Canvas method, according to Koskela et al (2020).…”

“…Work teams use the methods to, for example, visualize problems and support communication (Chakravorty 2009), decision-making, and sharing of ideas (Tjell & Bosch-Sijtsema 2015), to solve problems, learn from each other’s, and develop design solutions (Koskela et al 2020). However, the theoretical foundation of these participatory design methods is not well-substantiated, particularly not the Canvas method, according to Koskela et al (2020). In addition, the author has noticed the methods have a tenuous theoretical connection to visual studies and design research, even though the methods deal with the visual outputs created in a participatory design process.…”