IMPROVEMENT
KATA

Whereʼs the Threshold
of Knowledge?

PLANNING
Where do you want to go?
GRASP THE
CURRENT CONDITION

UNDERSTAND THE
DIRECTION
What challenge are
you striving for?
(6 mo - 3 years out)

1

What are the facts
and data about
where you are now?

Tool:
Future-State Mapping

ESTABLISH THE NEXT
TARGET CONDITION
(with an achieve-by date)

2

Describe where you
want to be next on the
way to the challenge.

Tool:
IK Process Analysis

(1 week - 3 months out)

3

EXECUTING
Then iterate to get there
ITERATE TOWARD THE
TARGET CONDITION
Conduct rapid, frequent
experiments to move
from current condition
to the target condition.

4

Tool:
PDCA Cycles Record

By Mike Rother, 2013

Tool: Current Condition
Target Condition Form

COACHING CYCLES
WITH THE 5 QUESTIONS
Daily

Coach escorts the
Learner and gives
procedural guidance.

5

Tool:
5-Question Card

Improvement Kata Flowchart

  • 1.
    IMPROVEMENT KATA Whereʼs the Threshold ofKnowledge? PLANNING Where do you want to go? GRASP THE CURRENT CONDITION UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION What challenge are you striving for? (6 mo - 3 years out) 1 What are the facts and data about where you are now? Tool: Future-State Mapping ESTABLISH THE NEXT TARGET CONDITION (with an achieve-by date) 2 Describe where you want to be next on the way to the challenge. Tool: IK Process Analysis (1 week - 3 months out) 3 EXECUTING Then iterate to get there ITERATE TOWARD THE TARGET CONDITION Conduct rapid, frequent experiments to move from current condition to the target condition. 4 Tool: PDCA Cycles Record By Mike Rother, 2013 Tool: Current Condition Target Condition Form COACHING CYCLES WITH THE 5 QUESTIONS Daily Coach escorts the Learner and gives procedural guidance. 5 Tool: 5-Question Card