KaizumiKaizumi™

Kata Cards

Printable pocket cards for the coaching kata and improvement kata.

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Hold the card during coaching cycles

Stand with the learner next to the process. Ask the five coaching questions in their exact order. After question 2, turn the card over and ask the four reflection questions to evaluate the prior experiment.

Stick to the scripted questions during every cycle. Consistent phrasing creates a predictable learning environment for the learner.
← Open storyboard

Coaching kata card

Front · The five questions

Ask the five questions in exact order.

Improvement kata card

Front · Four improvement steps

Repeat step 4 until reaching the target condition, then set a new one.

Want an editable copy?

Download six pocket cards per sheet with aligned fronts and backs. Print double-sided, flip along the long edge, and cut along dashed lines. US Letter is below; select A4 in the toolbar.

Printable cards for structured coaching cycles

This page provides downloadable pocket cards and practical guides for practicing Toyota Kata. Coaches and learners in healthcare, manufacturing, and administrative services use these cards to conduct focused, daily coaching cycles directly at the process.

The coaching kata card displays the five coaching questions on the front and the four reflection questions on the back. The improvement kata card shows the four improvement steps on the front and a diagram of how they fit together on the back.

Support daily problem solving at the process

Coaching works best when you go to the actual work area, a practice known as gemba. The coach and learner meet at the Toyota Kata storyboard to review real evidence from completed experiments and confirm the hypothesis for the next step.

Regular coaching cycles build scientific thinking across your organization. Supervisors incorporate these daily sessions into their leader standard work to develop capability and support autonomous problem solving.

Diagnostic guides for coaches and learners

Use the guide for the coach to examine responses for each question, recognize healthy answers, and catch warning signs. The guide for the learner explains each step of the improvement routine, detailing expected outcomes and common traps to avoid during daily practice.

Frequently asked questions

What are the five coaching kata questions?
The five coaching questions are: What is the target condition? What is the actual condition now? What obstacles are in the way? Which one are you addressing now? What is your next step, and what do you expect? When can we go and see what we have learned?
When do you ask the reflection questions?
You ask the four reflection questions during the coaching cycle directly after question 2. The coach asks: What did you plan as your last step? What did you expect? What actually happened? What did you learn? This reflects on the previous experiment before planning forward.
What are the four improvement kata steps?
The four improvement kata steps are: Understand the direction or challenge, Grasp the current condition, Establish the next target condition, and Experiment toward the target condition. The learner repeats step 4 until meeting the target condition.
How do you print the pocket cards?
Download the PDF formatted for US Letter or A4 paper. Print the document double-sided, set your printer to flip on the long edge, and cut along the dashed guidelines. Each printed sheet produces six cards.
What do the coaching card guides contain?
The page includes a guide for the coach and a guide for the learner. The coach guide lists positive indicators and warning signs for each question. The learner guide covers expected results and common traps for each improvement step.