Hoshin Kanri

Visual Strategic Planning

Definition:
Hoshin Kanri (from the Japanese hoshin meaning “direction” or “compass needle,” and kanri meaning “management” or “control”) is a strategic-planning and execution framework designed to ensure that an organization’s long-term vision and breakthrough objectives are effectively translated into aligned actions and accountabilities at all levels. It places emphasis on communication, cascading goals, and continuous review so that strategy becomes lived reality rather than just a document.

Hoshin Kanri stands as a pre-eminent strategic-planning methodology for modern organizations. Through this approach, enterprises translate their overarching vision into concrete responsibilities and actions, enabling strategic intent to cascade into everyday operations. Originating in Japan, Hoshin Kanri—also known as policy deployment or strategy deployment—has become a foundational element of Total Quality Management, embraced by many organisations committed to sustained improvement and organisational alignment.

Developed by Dr Yoji Akao (and others) in the wake of insights from quality-management pioneers such as W. Edwards Deming and Joseph M. Juran, Hoshin Kanri fosters rigorous strategic planning, alignment and quality enhancement. Within the framework, “hoshins”—that is, breakthrough initiatives or strategic objectives—serve as key drivers of transformative change. They are ambitious, clearly communicated, and connected directly to the day-to-day work of every team member.

At its core, the methodology aligns leadership and front-line teams through structured two-way communication (often called “catchball”), frequent reviews, and visual tools (such as the X-Matrix) that help track how every unit and every person contributes to the strategic goals.

To help organizations gain a strategic advantage in the marketplace, we facilitate retreats—typically two to three days—designed to immerse leadership teams in the principles and tools of Hoshin Kanri and to craft and begin executing their own strategy-deployment plans. Contact us for details.