TOYOTA

KATA

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What is

a Kata?

2.

Coaching

Kata

1.

Improvement Kata

3.

Kata Creates

Culture

5.

Getting

Started

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6.

Challenge

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Presentations

News and Links

Value Stream Mapping

Materials to Download

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Extras

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The Improvement Kata

4.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience.html
 

A Striving Pattern to Practice Every Day

One thing we can know is method


Solutions and answers themselves don't provide sustained

competitive advantage and progress.  Why?  Because today's

solutions might not fit tomorrow's problems.  What does work is

when we master a means of developing solutions and meeting

challenges along uncertain paths.  That's what the Improvement Kata is.

If you’re into Lean...  The Improvement Kata models the managerial context within

which Toyota's Lean tools are intended to be applied.  It teaches scientific and

purpose-driven behavior, not just hunting for waste or reacting to problems.


For an introduction to the Improvement Kata review the two presentations below.

The 4-step sequence of the Improvement Kata is an

operationalizable and teachable model of a universal

pattern for improving, adapting and innovating.


The Improvement Kata pattern is a "meta-habit" that aims

to change our habits of mind so our capabilities come to

greater fruition.  Practicing the Improvement Kata helps

any team get better at meeting goals and challenges.

Next:  2. The Coaching Kata >>

"If you go through the Improvement Kata process

you'll get to where you need to get to.  And the

more times you do it the better you will get at it."

     ~ Jim Huntzinger, President, Lean Frontiers

"Go where there is no path

and leave a trail."   ~ Emerson

There's a Kata for the Learner and a Kata for the Coach


To make the Improvement Kata pattern a habit in an organization its

managers teach/coach the Improvement Kata a little bit every day.

The Coaching Kata is a protocol for how to do that.  (see next section)


The Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata provide a compact,

clear and transferrable structure that demonstrates through

practice that this is not a typical problem solving approach, but

a process of scientific-skill development and mindset change.