Agile Kata: Patterns and Practices for Transformative Organizational Agility Awarded the Shingo Publication Award
December 24, 2025 – the Shingo Institute
LOGAN, Utah—December 24, 2025—The Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, is proud to announce that Joe Krebs has been awarded the Shingo Publication Award for his book Agile Kata: Patterns and Practices for Transformative Organizational Agility, recognizing its significant contribution to advancing organizational excellence.
Agile Kata introduces a groundbreaking approach that blends the principles of Agile with the scientific thinking of Kata, creating an effective blueprint for continuous improvement and organizational agility. Drawing on decades of experience working with different types of organizations, author Joe Krebs guides leaders, coaches, and teams in fostering a culture of adaptability and scientific thinking. This book equips readers to align Kata practices with Agile principles, tackle complex challenges through manageable experiments, and use evidence-driven problem-solving to spur real progress. In addition, it outlines how to measure results, overcome transformation hurdles, and scale Agile Kata across teams and departments, thereby creating a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement.
“Agile Kata isn’t just another Agile playbook,” said Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute. “It’s a masterclass in blending scientific thinking with practical experimentation. This book will redefine how businesses approach continuous improvement.”
Through actionable insights, case studies, and proven methods, Agile Kata offers an alternative to traditional Agile frameworks, empowering organizations to thrive amid uncertainty and change. Readers and industry leaders have praised the book for its clarity, practicality, and transformative impact:
Some of the great inventions come from putting seeming disparate things together. Joe has brought together scientific thinking, practiced through Kata, with Agile philosophies and methods and came up with something more powerful than either alone. Read this book and bring Agile to life!
–Jeffrey Liker, Author of Toyota Way
Joe Krebs combines Agile methods with the scientific approach of Kata for continuous improvement in Agile Kata. As someone who has applied Toyota Kata in Product Management, I’ve seen firsthand how these practices help teams reflect, adjust, and become more effective—just as Agile principles encourage. This book offers practical guidance to help Agile teams do the same, making it an essential read for anyone looking to enhance their Agile practices.
–Melissa Perri, CEO of Product Institute and author of Escaping the Build Trap
The secret to success for business leaders is not in the application of tools, but rather the thinking and human capability behind them. In Agile Kata, Joe Krebs has created an accessible, practical, and enjoyable leadership book that brings together the disciplines of scientific thinking, grounded in the routines (“kata”) of problem-solving and coaching for improvement. Agile Kata provides the learning structure for any leader or agile practitioner seeking to create sustainable impact through innovation and continuous improvement.
–Katie Anderson, Author or Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn
The Shingo Publication Award, one of the most respected honors in the field of organizational excellence, recognizes authors whose work profoundly influences leadership and cultural transformation worldwide, which Joe Krebs exemplifies with Agile Kata. By introducing a structured yet adaptive approach to continuous improvement, Krebs equips leaders and teams with practical tools to embed agility into their daily routines, fostering cultures that thrive on learning and adaptability.
The author will be formally presented with the award at the Shingo Connect Awards Gala in San Diego, CA, on March 19, 2026. Shingo Connect features workshops, site tours, keynotes, and sessions focused on achieving organizational excellence. Learn more at shingo.org/events. To purchase a copy of Agile Kata or other Shingo publications, visithttps://shingo.org/books.
About the Author
Joe (Jochen) Krebs is a German–American computer scientist, consultant, and entrepreneur. As the founder of Incrementor, an agile consultancy, Joe has collaborated with hundreds of companies across various industries, driving significant improvements in their Agile practices. His global client list includes both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. Joe is a community builder, podcast host, speaker, and author. In conjunction with this book, Joe has established Agile Kata Pro, where you can find valuable resources, courses, and tools for your Agile Kata journey.
About the Shingo Institute
The Shingo Institute is home to the Shingo Prize, an award recognizing organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture fostering continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser Shigeo Shingo, one of the world's thought leaders in the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model, the basis for its various educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute's Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops and affiliates or to register to attend an event, please visit https://shingo.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary Price, Events and Marketing Director
Shingo Institute
Phone: +1.435.760.0711
Email: [email protected]
About the Shingo Institute
The Shingo Institute is home to the Shingo Prize, an award recognizing organizations that demonstrate an exceptional culture fostering continuous improvement. Part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, the Shingo Institute is named after Japanese industrial engineer and Toyota adviser Shigeo Shingo, one of the world's thought leaders in the Toyota Production System.
Drawing from Dr. Shingo’s teachings and years of experience working with organizations worldwide, the Shingo Institute developed the Shingo Model, the basis for its various educational offerings, including workshops, study tours, and conferences. Workshops are available in multiple languages through the Institute's Licensed Affiliates. For more information on workshops and affiliates or to register to attend an event, please visit https://shingo.org.
Shingo Media Contact
Mary Price, Events and Marketing Director
Shingo Institute
Phone: +1.435.760.0711
Email: [email protected]