Kata is a practice methodology. It promotes both deliberate practice of daily continuous improvement and deliberate reflection on learning. It allows people to derive confidence and skill from ongoing patterns of work which in time become second nature through positive habit and behavior. The two main elements of Toyota Kata are the Improvement Kata and the Coaching Kata
Improvement Kata
The improvement Kata helps develop fundamental skills of working whereby a learner iterates a set of experiments toward a desired goal instead of deciding the way forward. This way of thinking and working helps people successfully deal with uncertainty and challenges.
Coaching Kata
The Coaching Kata is a repeating routine by which managers coach Improvement Kata to their teams. The manager as coach helps their learner successfully overcome obstacles and develop confidence.
Referenced: Mike Rother, Toyota Kata