About

Toyota Kata training gives you a systematic approach to continuous improvement and learning, providing routine behaviors designed to improve processes and achieve challenging goals. This training is ideal for supervisors, team leaders, engineers, quality staff, continuous improvement coordinators, and anyone looking to foster a culture where learning and evolving become second nature.

Course Details

• Format: Live, in-person at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, TN
• Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
• Time: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. (CT)
• Instructor: Tim Waldo
• Cost: $300 per person
• Meals: Lunch and light snacks provided by the UTSI Cafeteria

To Register

Please contact:

Meghan Morris

Outreach Coordinator

Email: mmorris@utsi.edu

Phone: 931-393-7213

Deadline

The deadline to register is Monday, November 9, 2026.

Course Description

This training teaches participants the two main components of Toyota Kata: the Improvement Kata, which focuses on the iterative process of working towards a target condition, and the Coaching Kata, where coaches guide learners in their improvement efforts. You will learn how to navigate uncertain terrains of challenges, adapt to changing conditions, and foster a culture of regular evolution and refinement.

Key Learning Objectives & Highlights:

Participants will explore the fundamental components of Toyota Kata and learn how to apply these concepts to improve organizational performance. You will learn how to:

• Increase Operational Efficiency: Adopt a systematic problem-solving approach to identify and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Boost Adaptability: Cultivate agility to enable companies to respond rapidly to changing market demands and challenges. 
• Promote Organizational Learning: Emphasize iterative learning and adaptation to naturally become more knowledgeable and resilient. 
• Strengthen Team Collaboration: Use shared routines and mutual coaching practices to foster a deeper sense of teamwork and collective growth. 
• Achieve Challenging Goals: Utilize a structured approach to ensure ambitious objectives are attainable through persistent efforts. 
• Sustain Continuous Improvement: Ingrain a lasting mindset of regular evolution and refinement beyond achieving short-term goals.

About the Instructor

Tim Waldo serves as a Workforce Development Specialist and Consultant for the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), leveraging his extensive background in both the manufacturing and service sectors to help Tennessee manufacturers navigate complex labor challenges. He partners directly with industrial organizations to design and implement customized workplace development strategies, comprehensive leadership training programs, and targeted continuous improvement initiatives aimed at maximizing human capital and operational performance.