Keeping the kata challenge in sight

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By Todd Weston

Vision Target

Condition Challenge

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We have been practicing moving

toward Target Conditions using

experimentation and rapid PDCA

cycles.

Working only on the obstacles

between our Current Condition and

the Target Condition.

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We have learned that we do not want to play

“Whack-A-Mole” with our improvements.

Now, we have also learned that it is entirely

possible to play “Whack-A-Mole” when

choosing the theme for the Next Target

Condition.

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Target Condition

Current Condition

Less than

1 Month

Target Condition

Current Condition

Too much

time

We keep the time given to reach a target condition short to

encourage the learner to take small steps everyday, as opposed

to putting it off until “tomorrow”.

No Activity

No Activity

No Activity

No Activity

OH NO!

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Challenge Current

Condition

1 Year

We have observed the “too much time” phenomenon occur with

regards to target condition themes.

WHACK! OH NO! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

Playing “Whack-A-Mole” with target condition themes that are not in the

direction of the challenge.

Now the coach is

scrambling to meet the

challenge.

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Is there a best way to choose

the next Target Condition?

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Of course the

simplest answer

is…“I don’t know”.

But, we do know

that Kata is

fractal.

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We can focus on a

single process.

We can focus on a

Value Stream.

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We can focus on

our overall kata

deployment.

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So, why not take the pattern we

practice at the process level…

…and apply it to the larger questions?

Vision Target

Condition

Challenge

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If we think of Target Conditions simply as larger

obstacles, we can begin to take a fractal approach to

create a pattern for choosing Target Condition Themes.

Target Condition

Target Condition Target

Condition

Target Condition

Target Condition

Target Condition

Target Condition

Target Condition

Target Condition

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The 5 Questions have created a solid pattern for the

conversation that takes place during a Coaching Cycle.

• The conversation is based on the same pattern

regardless of the Coach, the Learner, or the

Process.

• This consistency has

proven invaluable for

Coach and Learner

development, and of

course…Process

Improvement.

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Let’s experiment with a new pattern for conversations

we have while choosing the Theme of the Next Target

Condition.

• We can help the Coach keep the Challenge in mind

from the onset of the Challenge until the date is

reached.

• The 2nd Coach will guide the Coach through this

pattern via a new (yet similar) set of questions.

• The coach will have ownership of the Challenge,

but the 2nd Coach will be responsible for the

Coach’s results.

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We can have a coaching cycle between the

coach and the second coach, prior to the learner

experimenting toward a new target condition.

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The PDCA cycles record teaches us to think

scientifically. We base next steps on what we

learned in previous steps.

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Let’s use a PDCA record of target condition themes.

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Just like the PDCA cycles record, this information should be

present prior to the coaching cycle between the coach and

the 2nd coach. This coaching cycle should take place after

the coach has accepted the learner’s next target condition.

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Coach’s

responsibility

Learner’s

responsibility

Details of the

Target Condition The coach chooses the

date and theme for the

next target condition.

The learner then defines

how the process will look

by that date…then we ask

5 more questions.

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Posting the challenge in

the department has helped

communicate the

direction.

Posting the challenge with

space for the actual

condition keeps the coach

focused on that direction.

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We are striving to:

• Keep the challenge in front of the coach on a regular basis.

• Define challenges with measurable details.

• Review the actual condition with regards to the challenge at the onset of

each new target condition.

• Develop a pattern for choosing target condition themes via a coaching

cycle between the 2nd coach and the coach.

• Treat target conditions as larger experiments moving toward the

challenge (use the facts and the data).

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Let’s see what we learn…