Continuous-Improvement Kata for a SaaS Engineering Org
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Read Mike Rother's 'Toyota Kata' framework + 'The Kata Coaching Practice Guide'. Design a lightweight Improvement Kata for the 3 pilot teams: vision (engineering quality), target condition (per-team, 90-day), current condition, obstacles, next step (1-week experiment). Train each pilot team's tech lead as Improvement Kata learner + their EM as coach in 2 half-day sessions. Run 8 weeks of weekly coaching cycles, measuring kata adherence + selected quality outcome metrics (escape-defect rate, lead-time, code-coverage). Author a pilot report covering adherence, outcomes, and unexpected findings. Build a rollout recommendation memo for the VP of engineering. Deliver Kata design, coaching plan, pilot report, and rollout memo.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Introduce Toyota Kata continuous improvement to 3 pilot engineering teams over 8 weeks and recommend org-wide rollout.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Apply Toyota Kata to a software engineering context
- Coach a tech lead through the Improvement Kata cycle
- Measure both kata adherence and quality outcomes honestly
- Recommend rollout based on evidence, not enthusiasm
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
Careers
Roles this prepares you for.
Real titles. Real skill bridges. Pick the one closest to your trajectory.
Product Manager
Product managers fluent in Improvement Kata pair better with engineering on roadmap commitments and outcome ownership.
This challenge sharpens
- continuous-improvement
- measurement
- process-improvement