Are you searching for the answer to, "How can our continuous improvement process survive and thrive?" Toyota Kata addresses this challenge providing the framework for a sustainable problem solving culture incorporating targeted experimentation and personal learning.

 In this workshop, you will learn about two specific behavior routines, or kata. First, Improvement Kata is a repeating routine of establishing challenging target conditions, working step-by-step through obstacles and learning from problems encountered along the way. Second, Coaching Kata is a pattern of teaching Improvement Kata to employees at every level, ensuring that it permeates their thinking and actions. Participation in the Improvement Kata simulation makes it easy to understand how the Toyota Kata components come together.  The interactive simulation brings Kata “to life” as team members systematically improve their way through the Kata steps toward a target condition.

If you are seeking a better way to lead, manage and develop people to produce continuous improvements with superior results, this session is for you. Briefly put – Toyota Kata channels and utilizes the capabilities of all its team members better than we do with our traditional management methods allowing us to achieve superior results!

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Apply The Improvement Kata:  A scientific 4-step iterative Plan-Do-Check-Act routine that addresses only those obstacles on the path leading to the achievement of short term Target Conditions that are in line with a long term Vision & Challenge
• Understand The Coaching Kata:  A daily routine utilizing 5 Coaching Kata Questions to teach and embed the Improvement Kata thinking pattern
• Recognize the need for alignment of the Vision, Challenge and Target Condition to focus improvement activities
• Embrace a process for long term Team Member development

NOTE:  This workshop is offered in conjunction with the MWCC's 2013 Mid-Atlantic Lean Conference.  If you do not plan to attend the conference, register for the workshop here.  If you will be at the conference, you can add this workshop to your registration for an additional fee.  More information and registration for the Mid-Atlantic Lean Conference is available at www.regonline.com/2013midatlanticleanconference.

Workshop Facilitators: 

Brandon Brown serves as SE Board Member from The Association for Manufacturing Excellence.  Brandon received a Masters in Engineering from the University of Arkansas and brings 15 years manufacturing and engineering experience to the AMS staff. Prior to joining AMS Brandon worked in Operations with Central States Manufacturing and has served as a visiting professor at the University of Arkansas teaching Operations Management courses.  He has spent the past three year working with companies implementing Lean and Toyota Kata.

Hank Czarnecki serves Auburn Technical Assistance Center’s Team Leader for Lean manufacturing activities. His primary focus includes training, facilitating and coaching in the areas of Lean Manufacturing, Training Within Industry and Toyota Kata. He is a core member of the Alabama Operations Management Institute charged with implementing a holistic production system for Alabama Automotive Suppliers.  He is also past president of the Southeast region of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence.