Kata is the Japanese word that means form. A Kata is a detailed choreographed ritual of movements traditionally practiced in martial arts. The skills are handed down from master to student over many generations. Kata is a pattern of behavior, when practiced repetitively it becomes second nature. It is commonly referred to the Toyota Kata and is defined as an integral tool of change throughout the whole company. The key to Kata is habit. In Lean terms, Kata is a routine, standardized, synchronised process, it includes Improvement Kata (IK) and Coaching Kata (CK).
“The systematic pursuit of desired conditions by utilizing human capabilities in a concerted way.”
Mike Rother, author Toyota Kata
Improvement Kata
It is based on a four step procedure:
- Understand the Direction
- Grasp the Current Condition
- Define the Next Target Condition
- PDCA - Plan Do Check - toward the Target Condition
- Understand the Direction
- Grasp the Current Condition
- Define the Next Target Condition
- PDCA - Plan Do Check - toward the Target Condition
Simple Kata routines in the laboratory could include:
- Gemba - Regular Gemba ensures that a Lean culture is being implemented through practice and training. For instance, observe 5S, Kaizen projects and other lean initiatives in the lab.
- Sustainment - sustain successful Kaizen programs - delegate responsibilities and implement regular audits.
- Repeat and implement - replicate sustained improvements in other processes.
- Bottom-up Improvement - improvement that happens outside of a Kaizen event, start small and build small incremental changes towards improvement. This may involve something simple like relocating an instrument to streamline a process and reduce muda (waste).
Coaching Kata
The Coaching Kata supports Improvement Kata by encouraging learning and training to improve the current condition and ensure that porgress is being made townards the target. Coaching Kata is instrumental in the fourth step of the Improvement Kata, PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) towards attaining the Target Condition. The Coaching Kata question cards are an excellent resource to support IK.
The IK Reference Guide
by Mike Rother
Further information and resources
I love Lego so I highly recommend these Kata presentations by Hakan Forss.
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The Improvement Kata is a powerful strategy for continuous improvement within an organization. It's a structured approach that equips individuals and teams to tackle challenges, experiment with solutions, and steadily enhance processes and outcomes. Here's a breakdown of the Improvement Kata:
Core Philosophy:
Based on scientific thinking and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle.
Focuses on learning and adapting through experimentation rather than relying on pre-defined solutions.
Empowers employees at all levels to take ownership of improvement.
The Four Steps of the Improvement Kata:
Grasp the Current Condition:
Clearly define the challenge or area for improvement.
Gather data and understand the current state of the process.
Identify any obstacles hindering improvement.
Set a Direction (Target Condition):
Establish a clear and ambitious, yet achievable, target condition for improvement.
Define success metrics to track progress towards the target condition.
Make the Change (Experiment):
Develop a plan to experiment with potential solutions.
Start small and focus on rapid experimentation cycles.
Encourage calculated risks and learning from failures.
Review and Learn (Check and Act):
Regularly evaluate the results of the experiment against the target condition.
Analyze what worked and what didn't.
Standardize successful improvements and adapt the plan based on learnings.
Benefits of Improvement Kata:
Continuous Improvement: Instills a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the organization.
Problem-Solving Skills: Empowers employees to identify and solve problems effectively.
Employee Engagement: Increases employee ownership and engagement in improvement initiatives.
Adaptability: Improves the organization's ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Improvement Kata vs. Coaching Kata:
The Improvement Kata focuses on the individual or team taking the lead on improvement, while the Coaching Kata focuses on a coach guiding and supporting the learner through the Improvement Kata cycle. These two kata work together effectively. A coach can provide guidance and mentorship to individuals or teams
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