Table of Contents Introduction 2 The Marshmallow Challenge 2-3 The Domino Activity 3-4 Kata Coaching Card 5 Experiments Record 6 Current Condition Worksheet 7 Target Condition Worksheet 8 Dominoes Process Metric: Time to Set 9 Dominoes Quality Metric: Topple Rate 10 Timing Worksheet 11 Obstacle Parking Lot 12 Dominoes LLC Data Collection 13 Current Condition/Target Condition Worksheet 14 Operator Cycles Run Chart 15 Page 1 of 15 Introduction The following guide is designed to supplement our kata course. In this guide you’ll find information on the marshmallow challenge, the dominoes activity, and copies of the forms you’ll need for the course. We’d like to stress the importance of practicing kata in the real world. To truly learn and understand kata, you really have to “go to the gemba” and seek out opportunities to apply it. The Marshmallow Challenge The goal of the marshmallow challenge is to build the tallest freestanding structure using only the materials provided, in 18 minutes. For the marshmallow challenge each team of four will need: ● ● ● ● ● 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti 1 yard of masking tape 1 yard of string (include scissors if it’s too thick to break by hand) 1 standard size marshmallow (not stale) A table or flat surface for each team to work on Facilitator tools you will need: ● ● ● ● Measuring tape Stopwatch or other “countdown” method Sound system to play 18 minutes of music (optional) Video projector for presenting the instructions (optional) ● The winning team is the one who builds the tallest structure, measuring from the table to the top of the marshmallow. Each team is allowed to use as much or as little of the provided materials as they like. Teams are allowed to break the spaghetti, cut the tape, and cut the string. Rules: ● ● Running the challenge: Step 1: Distribute the materials to each team of four. Step 2: Explain the rules and set a timer to 18 minutes. Step 3: Walk around and observe. Periodically announce how many minutes remain. Step 4: Remind the teams that the structures must be freestanding, no holding allowed. Step 5: When time is up, have each team stop working and take a seat. Page 2 of 15 Reviewing the results: Step 1: Measure and record the height of each freestanding structure. Step 2: Announce and congratulate the winning team. Step 3: Play Tom Wujec’s Ted Talk video or share some of the key lessons: ● Kindergarteners do better than business students at this challenge. ● Why? The kids spend more time experimenting instead of planning. ● Business students spend all their time executing a plan only to find it doesn’t support the marshmallow at the very end. Kids start with the marshmallow and quickly figure out what works and what doesn’t. ● Hidden Assumptions: Marshmallows aren’t as light as they look. The key to innovation is to identify assumptions early on and test them repeatedly. For more information, visit https://www.tomwujec.com/design-projects/marshmallow-challenge/ The Domino Activity We highly recommend watching the corresponding course videos before running this activity on your own. For a written guide, reference the Dominoes Introduction powerpoint found in the Resources section of the course. The goal of the domino activity is for each team to stand all 200 of their dominoes in such a way that they can all be toppled with a single touch. Each team of 4-5 people will need: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● A box of 200 dominoes A table or flat surface A timer or stopwatch A calculator Paper and pens (for sketches, notes, block diagrams, etc) A whiteboard or large sheet of paper (for the kata storyboard) A Data Collection worksheet Multiple Run Chart worksheets A Quality Metric worksheet A Process Metric worksheet A Kata Coaching card (both sides) An Obstacle Parking Lot worksheet An Experiment Record worksheet A Current Condition worksheet A Target Condition worksheet A Current Condition/Target Condition worksheet A Timing Worksheet Page 3 of 15 As a facilitator you will need: ● ● A timer to display to the room (for the first two “practice” rounds) Video projector for presenting the instructions via powerpoint (optional) Key metrics: ● ● ● Productivity - total time to stand dominoes Quality - percent topple rate Quality Standard - each domino must fall within 45 degrees of the table Team Roles: ● ● ● ● 2 Workers - only ones who can touch the dominoes 1 Supervisor - initiates the topple with a gentle one finger push 1 Manager - coaches the supervisor by suggesting improvements Optional - 1 Observer/Data Collector ● Dominoes must start loose in the box. Touching or arranging dominoes is “on the clock.” The timing of a production run starts when the workers touch the box or a domino. Rules: ● Page 4 of 15 Kata Coaching Card Page 5 of 15 Experiments Record Page 6 of 15 Current Condition Worksheet Page 7 of 15 Target Condition Worksheet Page 8 of 15 Dominoes Process Metric: Time to Set Page 9 of 15 Dominoes Quality Metric: Topple Rate Page 10 of 15 Timing Worksheet Page 11 of 15 Obstacle Parking Lot Page 12 of 15 Dominoes LLC Data Collection Page 13 of 15 Current Condition/Target Condition Worksheet Page 14 of 15 Operator Cycles Run Chart Page 15 of 15
