8 Things PeopleWho Practice the

IMPROVEMENT KATAWill Understand

(As told by the Internet)

1. Pobody’s Nerfect

• “I thought bread was perfect already and we couldn't do much to improve it. The "Bread Dance" (Bread Flow) was perfect in my eyes and boy, was I wrong!”

• “I felt that significant improvement probably wasn't possible. I now see I was mistaken. We shaved 3+ seconds off a 20-second process -- an improvement of over 15%! And we still have other experiments to run. It's exciting!”

• “No area is perfect, no matter what. There is ALWAYS room to improve and experiment with your improvements.”

2. Failure is ALWAYS an option

• “‘Failing’ faster is really a great way to move forward. The quick cycle of experimenting and then making changes, PDCA, is really wonderful for being sure you don't get bogged down.”

• “You learn more from ‘failing’ than you do from easy successes.”

• “Failing faster means faster learning.”

3. Language Matters

• “When we first met with Jeff Liker's Kata students, there was definitely a bit of a ‘language barrier.’ They used a lot of technical jargon to describe processes that I thought of as simple.”

• “Maintaining focus while trying to go through the questions for the Improvement Kata was a bit difficult sometimes.”

4. Keep it Fresh

• “I really liked bringing the students in as an outsider perspective which gave them the opportunity to ask how and why questions about our processes. Really made me realize how much we're unconsciously competent of the things we do.”

• “To really find out the best practices as they are currently done the input from the team as a whole was necessary.”

• “There's a special kind of vision required -- one that demands you see a (sometimes wearyingly) familiar process with new eyes.”

5. Respect your elders

• “My coaches have guided me through learning far more about running Pick in a few months than I could have on my own given years. YEARS!”

• “Being able to ‘lean’ on some of the experience and expertise of our coach and other coworkers who have been around for a while was very helpful when choosing a direction and setting up initial PDCA cycles.”

6. Data is your friend

• “I’ve found through our KATA that the initial application can be a struggle until real results are found… Evidence is what leads to belief.”

• “Updating the kata board actually builds the case for why those affected should try your little experiment. Selling the idea becomes a piece of cake, and then you have the data afterwards for everyone to celebrate over! We did it, guys!”

• “EXCEL ROCKS MY SOCKS.”

• “Data is actionable!”

7. One person’s trash is another person’s continuous improvement

• “When trying to prevent a human error, look at the physical artifacts of that error. One of my best ideas came after digging through the trash for old, used Work Orders.”

• “Just because we experimented with a process years ago, doesn't mean that it won't work now.”

8. Keep it ZINGY

OR“If your Kata is making you cry, you might be doing it wrong.”

In Conclusion (2 minute video)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reVc3JeCpUQ