What Does 3P Stand For?

Perhaps ‘6P’ is more fitting

3P, or “Production Preparation Process,” is a method introduced to the United States during the mid-1980s by Chihiro Nakao, a contemporary of Taiichi Ohno, and a founder of the consulting firm Shingijutsu Ltd. I recall the method was called “New Production Preparation” (NPP) early along, but apparently succumbed to a marketing intervention, hence 3P.

The basic idea of 3P is to achieve, in Nakao’s words, “breakthrough or transformational changes in production process” through rapid, integrated prototyping of both product and process.

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3P

Hi Bruce -

You are quite correct that this is a people-centered process, but then, that is true about everything in TPS / "lean" even if it is often deployed as just a technical solution.

3P is powerful because it allows rapid cycles of experimentation in a low-risk environment. It allows the team to rapidly learn things that don't work, and continue to develop the things that do. That is why it is important to keep as many ideas alive as long as possible. Since this is creative / design space, rather than simple "execution," having the ability to prototype and iterate is crucial.

One thing I like about the 3P process is that once the problem solving process gets engaged, even those who are reluctant to participate, less than passionate, often get sucked in by the intellectual challenge. They see a problem, and cannot resist the temptation to pitch in and help solve it.

I have found Tom Wujec's "Marshmallow Challenge" (http://marshmallowchallenge.com) - the exercise itself, followed by his TED talk video, to be a good tool when introducing the difference between the process of learning something new and just executing what you already know.