Coaching & Improvement Kata Training

During the period of February 3–5, 2026, ALFRA Consulting delivered the Coaching & Improvement Kata program at the Yazaki facility in Arad, in an in-field training format focused on practical application and immediate implementation. The training brought together participants from different roles within the organization—including operational leaders, managers, and specialists—who are directly involved in supporting daily performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

The program was based on the concept of Kata, a management system inspired by Toyota practices, which provides a structured framework for addressing complex challenges and developing leaders as coaches for their teams. Rather than relying on quick fixes, Kata promotes simple daily routines through which teams learn to clarify direction, understand the current situation, and make steady progress through small steps, tested and refined through PDCA cycles.

Throughout the three days, participants worked on real production examples, carried out shopfloor exercises, and used Kata storyboards to visualize their thinking process and track progress. The coaching component played a central role, with participants experiencing both the learner and coach roles, gaining a deeper understanding of how to support learning and foster team autonomy.

The feedback collected at the end of the training confirmed the positive impact of the program. Participants particularly appreciated the trainer’s expertise, the hands-on Gemba practice, and the simplicity with which the Kata method can be applied in daily operations. All participants stated that they would recommend this training and expressed a clear intention to apply Kata in real projects and share the methodology within their teams.

The Coaching & Improvement Kata program at Yazaki represented an important step in strengthening a culture of continuous improvement, where progress is built every day through discipline, reflection, and people-centered leadership.