KATA

The term Kata is borrowed from Japanese martial arts and describes a series of movements (routines) following the flow of a fight. It can be seen as choreography without an enemy. Translated in operations we are talking about implementing routines to achieve continuous improvements. In the lean world the term KATA is well promoted by Mike Rother - therefore customer satisfaction and personal development is improved using improvement and mentoring routines.

The improvement routine consists of four steps

1. Determine a clear target state > vision statement

2. Determine the current state

3. Define the next target condition

4. Get into action following the PDCA methodology

The goal is to start building a habit of continuous improvement by the application of the principles of Kata. Following Mike Rother - The Kata Story Board demonstrates the basics of the Toyota Kata methodology. This means nothing less than taking step by step towards continuous improvements in your organization towards the targeted state.

Using the Kata methodology gives you the advantage of defining a clear structure and clarity to the improvement process itself. The guideline is clear and easy to adapt:

1. Remove emotions and options

2. Create small, fast and effective PDCA cycles

3. Stop the trial and error > deploy a clear approach with small steps

4. Build habits that sustainably support your long-term goals

Following the Story Board

With the help of the Kata methodology you will start to build up new habits through continuous training and practicing your routines. With new habits you will reach new skills that might change your own mindest on how to look at things when focusing on continuous improvements. Therefore Kata is a universal methodology that can be utilized in any field, it will not only help you in your professional life but can also be adapted in your private life.

See one example of a KATA Story board below. You can also download a free example here.

An effective way to introduce a lasting change is to establish the routine of continuous improvement habits that strive for excellence. For your organization that should mean to work with a KATA Coach who supports you by installing regular meetings (stand ups/huddles or however you want to call it) and go through the five questions of Coaching Kata and repetitively goes through the four steps of Improvement Kata.

Therefore the five questions of Coaching Kata are:

1. What is your targeted condition?

2. What is the actual condition?

3. What road blockers are in your way that prevent you or your organization from reaching your target condition?

4. What will you do/try next to come closer to your target condition?

5. What have you learned from previous steps?

Coaching Kata strives for a long lasting change and you can start small instead of creating a huge mountain to climb in first place. Coaching Kata is empowering everybody involved in your organization, from the shop floor up to the C-level. Kata enables people to participate and contribute to the organizations success through their own actions. In addition Kata will support you on your continuous improvement process and methodologies.

The Kata methodology can be seen as a toolkit helping you to gain a better understanding of how Kata can support you on:

1. Developing a standardized method on how to improve solution oriented processes

2. Training managers to see themselves as mentors, coaches and role models

3. Implementing a problem solving routine that supports on daily basis the continuous improvement process

4. Developing a framework for a living PDCA cycle that underlines the value of small steps to the all over defined target state

No matter what phase your in - whether you are a one person startup or multi-billion organization Kata provides a methodology that can be used to solve problems and brings you faster to the stage you want to be. The systematic approach can be implemented at all levels of CIP and all fields of industry.