HANSEI
THE IMPROVEMENT KATA MODEL
Next
Current Target
Condition Obstacles Condition
Challenge Vision
2
THE 4-STEPS OF THE 1 Get the
IMPROVEMENT KATA 3 Direction or
Challenge
MODEL Establish
your Next
Target
Condition
2 4
Conduct Experiments
Grasp the to get there
Current
Condition
The model we used to explain our findings resembles
other creative and scientific models, such as:
Systems thinking, critical thinking, learning organization,
design thinking, creative thinking, solution-focused practice,
preferred futuring, skills of inquiry, evidence-based learning
3
ASKING THE LEARNER THE 5 QUESTIONS
5
IT'S THE SCIENTIFIC LEARNING CYCLE
A process for acquiring new knowledge.
Sometimes called "Plan-Do-Check-Act"
EVALUATE PREDICTION
Interpret the Testable
evidence ACT PLAN
4 1
3 2
CHECK DO
(Study)
EVIDENCE ACTION
Collect facts and data Conduct the
experiment
This cycle gives you a practical way to reach a Target
Condition, by providing a systematic way of working
through the grey zone between here and there
6
EXAMPLE
Steps of the Scientific Method
By Mike Rother 7
Focus Process: Challenge:
Target Condition Actual Condition PDCA Cycles
Achieve by: Now Record
Obstacles Parking
Lot
COACHING KATA COACHING KATA
Front of card
COACHING KATA COACHING KATA
Back of card
As your coaching abilities grow it is natural to evolve your own coaching style, which includes adding to the fundamental
Five 'Starter Kata' Coaching Kata Questions. Of course, any additional questions you come up with should be consistent
with the principles and intention of the Starter Kata (which should always remain at the core of this routine).
Begin with the starter 5 Question Card shown on the previous pages, and after you do several coaching cycles and get
used to that card you can start adding notes and additional clarifying questions. Here's one technique you can use... make
yourself a folding card as shown below. The folded card fits in your pocket, but has space on the unfolded right-hand side
to jot down notes and test your own clarifying questions. Here are some example notes and clarifying questions to
consider and to try, simply as thought starters.
The Starter-Kata Coaching Questions Example notes & clarifying questions
• Is the target condition connected to the challenge?
1) What is the Target Condition? • What do you want to be happening? • No verbs!
• Measureable? • Not 'lack of something' • Achieve-by date?
2) What is the Actual Condition now? • Numbers, not opinions. • Can you show me? • How do you
know? • How did you get the data? • Is there a run chart?
• What was being tested?
REFLECTION
What did you plan as your Last Step?
• Is the PDCA Cycles Record filled in?
What did you Expect? • Was this written down? • Just read it!
What Actually Happened? • Only facts & numbers. • Are the numbers written down?
• Is there a run chart? • What is different than expected?
What did you Learn? • Did the Learner really reflect on this?
3) What Obstacles do you think are preventing • Is the Obstacles Parking Lot up-to-date?
you from reaching the target condition? • True obstacles (variation), not action items or lack of a
perceived solution.
Which *one* are you addressing now? • Where does this problem occur? • Can you show me?
• When does this problem occur?
4) What is your next step? (Next experiment) • What is the current knowledge threshold?
• Did what was learned in the last experiment frame this one?
• Is expectation written down? • Please read it.
What do you expect? • What numerical outcome do you expect?
• How will you measure it?
• How many cycles do you plan to measure?
5) How quickly can we go and see what we • Strive for cheap and fast experiments
Have Learned from taking that step? • Can we run this experiment today? Right now?
• When is the next coaching cycle?
• Accompany the Learner if necessary.
Card folds
here The underlying principles of the Five
Coaching Kata Questions should remain!
Coaching Kata
The Five Questions for the PLANNING Phase
1. What is the Target Condition at this
step in the Learner’s IK planning ?
2. What is the Current Condition at this
Previous Experiment - REFLECTION
step in the Learner’s IK planning ?
Refer to the Learner's PDCA Cycles Record
----------> STOP & REFLECT ----------> a) What did you plan as your last step?
<-------- NOW LOOK AHEAD <-------- b) What did you expect?
3. What obstacles do you think are c) What actually happened?
preventing you from completing this d) What did you learn?
planning step of the IK?
Try to focus on one obstacle at a
time to see cause & effect!
4. What is your next experiment?
State your theory or hypothesis;
it’s an experiment!
5. How quickly can we go and see what
we’ve learned from taking that step?
Coaching Kata
The Five Questions for the EXECUTING Phase
1. What is the Target Condition?
2. What is the Current Condition? Previous Experiment - REFLECTION
Refer to the Learner's PDCA Cycles Record
----------> STOP & REFLECT ----------> a) What did you plan as your last step?
<-------- NOW LOOK AHEAD <-------- b) What did you expect?
3. What obstacles do you think are c) What actually happened?
preventing you from reaching the d) What did you learn?
Target Condition?
Try to focus on one obstacle at a
time to see cause & effect!
4. What is your next experiment?
State your theory or hypothesis;
it’s an experiment!
5. How quickly can we go and see what
we’ve learned from taking that step?
EXECUTING-PHASE COACHING CYCLES
What the Learner should do in response to the Five Questions
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Obstacle Parking Lot
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