3.

Kata Creates

Culture

5.

The TK

Starter Kata

Value Stream Mapping

Supporting Materials

Extras

1.

Improvement Kata

Challenge

2.

Coaching

Kata

4.

Getting

Started

TOYOTA

KATA

The

Improvement

Kata Exercise

Learning to strive by practicing to learn

TK is about developing and mobilizing our remarkable human

capabilities. The Improvement Kata is a routine of thinking

and acting that harnesses our spirit and capability to

improve and to solve problems. It shows us a

scientifically systematic and constructive way

of dealing with problems, uncertainty and

change – in other words, how we can work

together to achieve beyond what we can see.

Since no one knows what the world will look like in the future, practicing the

Improvement Kata develops the ability to learn and adapt quickly. The goal is to

develop and utilize a scientific-thinking mindset in your team, in your organization

and in your personal life.

In a scientific-thinking mode people realize that they are not certain about many

things. Scientific thinkers can tolerate uncertainty and are able to welcome new

perspectives based on experimentation. They can adapt based on what they learn

along the way, rather than just following preconceived plans.

We may be exiting a business era where the

main challenges revolved around efficiency,

and entering an era where the challenges are

broader. But not to worry, we're equipped to

meet challenges of all sorts, as long as we

practice a way of doing that. The management

methods we've been practicing were intended

to reduce uncertainty, but the management

methods of the future could be more about

being effective in unavoidable uncertainty.

TK = Practicing a way to find your way

When we master a scientific way of proceeding through

unpredictable territory we don't have to fear the obstacles,

changes and unknowns we will encounter. Rather than

trying to hold on to a sense of certainty based on our

opinions at the moment, we can get confidence from a

learned ability to navigate uncertainty. People in

business, education, politics and daily life are benefiting

from the scientific-thinking habits they develop through

practicing Toyota Kata. I hope you enjoy the trip.

Mike Rother