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

Jaded Julie Begins to Learn about Hoshin Kanri Planning

“I’m sorry, Jaded Julie, but we’re going to have to deviate from our Lean transformation theme. The new topic is Hoshin Kanri Planning.”

“That’s okay, Curmudge. As Yogi Berra said, ‘If you come to a fork in the road, take it.’ But it sounds as if I’m going to have to learn two new Japanese words. You know that I’m not very good at foreign languages.”

“There’s nothing to fear, Julie. There are only two Japanese words that we’ll be learning; everything else is in English. Besides, every trade and profession has its own language. You have already learned the language of nursing. If someone says ‘Foley catheter’ to you, you immediately know what they mean. Those words mean nothing to the average person on the street, and those folks who recognize them simply shudder.”

“So you’re saying that learning Hoshin Kanri is essentially the same as learning a foreign language or the specialized English vocabulary of a profession?”

“Exactly. Learn the most essential words and the rules for their usage; then practice, practice, practice. Soon you’ll be thinking in Hoshin Kanri.”

“I’m shivering with anticipation. By the way, Curmudge, why are we doing this?”

“Every corporation needs to plan how it will improve its performance. Affinity has determined that Hoshin Kanri is the best planning process. It can be translated as policy deployment, goal deployment, or policy management, but Affinity has adopted the Japanese terms. In this process, the leadership team identifies goals for the corporation, develops strategies for achieving the goals, and then specifies essential achievements needed to further the strategies. In this context, the essential achievements are called ‘hoshins’. Sorry about the additional Japanese, but it’s just a rule of the game—sort of like learning to roll your ‘r’s to be understood in a foreign country.”

“It seems reasonable so far, but it sounds as if it involves only management. So why do I have to learn this?”

“You’re right in that the folks most directly involved with Hoshin Kanri are those from top management on down to directors and managers. But you might be called on to help. As I’ll point out later, Hoshin Kanri will permeate all of Affinity; and you will want to understand what is going on around you. Furthermore, achieving a Lean transformation is one of our corporate strategies. Hoshin Kanri is the means by which the Lean transformation that you have been studying will be accomplished.”

“So it will relate to me. I was about to lose interest. Proceed, Curmudge, but go slowly.”

“Let’s wrap up this session by mentioning that the business units—each hospital, Affinity Medical Group, etc.—commit to hoshins (remember—essential achievements) that further the corporate strategies that are within their purview. They also develop their own business unit strategies and hoshins. The result of this is that everyone is focused long term on achieving the corporate goals.”

“Whew! Are we finished for the day?”

“Yes. We’ll tackle more Hoshin Kanri Planning next time. Meanwhile, think how easy it was to learn the special terminology of sports, like ’first down’ and ‘offside’ in football…”

“…and throwing a ‘Hail Mary’ pass from your own 10-yard line.”

“You’ve got the idea, Julie. And I’ll make sure that learning Hoshin Kanri is not ‘unnecessary roughness’.”

Affinity’s Kaizen Curmudgeon