Hoshin Kanri

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe a method called "Hoshin Kanri" (or Policy Deployment) developed by Dr. Yoji Akao. Hoshin Kanri is defined as a "form of corporate-wide management that combines strategic management and operational management by linking the achievement of top management goals with daily management at an operation level" [1]. This method is an essential element of TQM and is based on the PDCA cycle. Further, through the article, attention will be given to the X-matrix and the Catchball process.The former is the way in which the Hoshin Kanri is implemented and the latter is the necessary process to obtain a successful implementation of the Hoshin Kanri among all the company levels.

General Contens

1)What is Hoshin Kanri?
1.1)Strategy Deployment
1.2)History of Hoshin Kanri - Origin of the word
1.3)7 steps of Hoshin Strategy

2) The PDCA cycle (plan, do, check, act) 
2.1)The X-Matrix 

3)The Catchball process

4)Implementation
5)Why Use Hoshin?
6)What can go wrong?

Reference

[1] HOSHIN KANRI: POLICY MANAGEMENT IN JAPANESE-OWNED UK SUBSIDIARIES, Barry J. Witcher and Rosemary Butterworth, Journal of Management Studies 38:5 July 2001, University of East Anglia