Jaded Julie Learns the Language of Hoshin Kanri

"Time for a vocabulary lesson, Julie. Then we’ll learn how the words are used.”

“Okay, Curmudge, but I sure hope that when a new word goes into my brain, an old word doesn’t come popping out.”

“Don’t worry, Julie. That only happens to senior citizens. Let’s start by talking about matrices, which is the plural of matrix.”

“So what is a matrix?”

“I don’t think you want me to say that a matrix is a rectangular array of numbers, so why don’t we just use an example. A calendar is a simple matrix; it shows days of the week across the top and weeks of the month down the side. If you go out for fish every Friday, you’ll be doing it on October 5, 12, 19, and 26 in 2007. That’s pretty important information, don’t you agree?”

“I’m getting hungry already. Go on, Curmudge.”

“In Hoshin Kanri Planning there are several types of matrices. Each one has a name, and each name has an abbreviation.”

“I sense that this conversation is going down hill, but I haven’t bailed out yet.”

“Good! These are the names and abbreviations of the two main types of matrices: Policy Deployment (PD), and Planning Matrix (PM). Note that when ‘P’ is followed by ‘D’ it stands for Policy, and when ‘P’ is followed by ‘M’ it stands for Planning.”

“That sounds a bit inconsiderate of students, but at least it’s in English.”

“Don’t complain. There are similar idiosyncrasies in Arabic, and they have been learned by millions of children. Let’s gain an understanding of these terms by devising a simple scenario. Call the company the Curmudgeon Company with my wife and me the co-CEO’s.”

“I presume that you each make some of the important corporate decisions.”

“Right. She decides where we live and how the house is furnished, and I decide what color shirt to wear to work every day. Anyway, back to the scenario. We have developed two long-term goals, Move to a Warmer Climate and Sell the House. Our strategies for selling the house include Remodel the Interior and Upgrade the Exterior to Improve Curb Appeal. One of our hoshins (short-term essential achievements) to further the ‘Upgrade the Exterior’ strategy is to Improve the Appearance of the Yard. Although this is all hypothetical, I hope it helps clarify the terms we introduced last time, Goals, Strategies, and Hoshins.”

“It’s not bad, Curmudge. Whenever I get discouraged, I think of little children trying to learn Arabic.”

“Remember, Julie, the reason for the scenario is to help us understand the two main types of matrices used in hoshin kanri planning, the Policy Deployment Matrix (PD), and the Planning Matrix (PM). The Planning Matrix is simpler, so we’ll start with that one. Every hoshin has a planning matrix that shows the hoshin’s measure of success, the individual projects undertaken to support the hoshin, and the progress of those projects. Shown below is the planning matrix (PM) for our ‘Improve the Appearance of the Yard’ hoshin.”

"Well, Julie, I hope our example makes the Hoshin Planning Matrix appear straightforward. Next time we’ll tackle Policy Deployment Matrices.”

“I agree, Curmudge. Sometimes you do make complex topics easier to learn.”

“When do you want to hear my lectures on thermodynamics, Julie?”

“How about in ten years?”

“Bye, Julie.”

Affinity’s Kaizen Curmudgeon