15 March 2021

“A Kata is the a thing that helps

you develop the a way”
Confirming the “why” & a 4-Step review
(15 minute “level set”)

V1.24Feb21

First – What is “the way” we want to develop?

Scientific thinking:
Continuous comparison
between what we predict
will happen next, seeing
what actually happens,
and adjusting our
understanding and
actions based on what
we learn from any
Scientific thinking: difference.
A mental framework for
approaching goals and https://www.lean.org/leanpost/Posting.cfm?LeanPostId=1347
obstacles or problems. (Liker - illustrates the relationship between the ‘Toyota Way’ and ‘TK’)

Why develop this ‘way’ (scientific thinking)?

Because right now we are less sure
than ever of what the future looks like
(in the business world and overall)

So the most success will

come to those who are
best at adapting!
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 15 March 2021

Why scientific thinking?

Maybe MANY Source: Toyota Kata Practice Guide, 2018, McGraw-Hill

(most?) things we
do are actually
hypothesis!
Where
the facts
and data
end

Why Toyota Kata, how it came about …

Copying
this stuff Visible • Results ↑
wasn’t Stuff • CI (Lean) tools & practices
working Diagram Mike by Mike Rother

• A systematic, scientific
Toyota Kata Less way of thinking & acting
research Visible • Managers as teachers
findings (Q1)
Stuff of that way

The 2 research questions that started it all …

Q1. What are the unseen managerial

routines and thinking that lie behind
Toyota’s success with continuous
improvement and adaptation?

Less • A systematic, scientific Q2. How can other

way of thinking & acting
Visible • Managers as teachers companies develop similar
Stuff of that way routines and thinking in
their organizations?

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 15 March 2021

What is Toyota Kata?

Visible
to start Two “kata” Patterns you can practice
to develop a skill
with
Improvement Kata
Coaching Kata

Less • A systematic,
Visible scientific way of
Stuff thinking & acting
• Managers as teachers
of that way

What is the Improvement Kata?

Less • A systematic,
Practice Visible scientific way of
Stuff thinking & acting

routine Improvement Kata

NOT an
improvement
method.

It IS a pattern for
starting to learn
scientific thinking. Source: Toyota Kata Practice Guide

What is the Coaching Kata?

Less • Managers as
Practice Visible teachers of scientific
Stuff thinking & acting
Coach
routine Coaching Kata Learner

1. What’s the Target Condition?

2. What’s the Actual Condition now?
NOT a
coaching (Reflection)
method. Source: Toyota Kata Practice Guide
3. What obstacles are stopping us from reaching our
It IS a pattern
Target Condition, which one will we work on?
for starting to
learn coaching.
4. What’s your next step?
5. How quickly can we see what you’ve learned?

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 15 March 2021

What you see at the start is not what you have at the end
Wax on, wax off - very deliberate, takes time

Block - split second timing, innate

…

What you see at the start

is not what you have at
the end
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Improvement Kata
Coaching Kata

Less • A systematic,
Visible scientific way of
Stuff thinking & acting
• Managers as teachers
of that way

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How can other companies develop similar routines and thinking in their organizations?
Why was this 2nd research question very important?

Models alone won’t

change our behaviors “Hoping to create
new behaviors by
explaining or trying
Telling alone to convince people
doesn’t really work.
The explanation
• A systematic, may be correct, but
Less scientific way of
Visible thinking & acting it doesn’t change
Stuff us.”
• Managers as
teachers of that way

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 15 March 2021

Because MANY
(most?) things we
do are actually
hypothesis!

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