Course Overview

Scientific thinking refers to the skill of working through problems you haven’t solved before.

Instead of jumping to solutions, you work systematically: set a specific near-term target, try something, observe what actually happens, learn from the results, and apply that learning to your next step.

Toyota Kata teaches this skill through two simple practice routines: the Improvement Kata and the Coaching Kata. These aren’t tools you use once—they’re daily practices that develop how people think and solve problems.

This foundational course is the first step in your Toyota Kata learning path.Future in-person sessions will offer more advanced practice and coaching development.

This is NOT a passive webinar. You’ll participate in hands-on breakout exercises, practice coaching cycles, and leave ready to apply what you learned.

Who Should Attend

• Managers, supervisors, team leaders, students, engineers, knowledge workers, continuous improvement practitioners, and anyone interested in building scientific thinking and problem-solving capability. 
  

What You’ll Learn

• The importance of enhancing your scientific thinking skills.
• The four-step Improvement Kata pattern for systematic problem-solving.
• How Toyota Kata aligns with and strengthens A3 Thinking.
• How to practice scientific thinking through short, daily cycles.
• The Five Coaching Questions that develop scientific thinking.
• Where to access free resources to continue your learning.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in hands-on breakout room exercises.
• Experience the learner role in a real coaching cycle.
• Practice asking and answering the Five Coaching Questions.
• Learn the storyboard format for documenting your work.
• Identify a simple challenge to begin your own practice.

What You’ll Take Home

• Course slides and recording.
• The Five Questions reference card.
• Storyboard template for tracking your improvement work.
• Links to free Toyota Kata resources (including downloadable posters).
• A clear first step to start practicing immediately.