Hoshin Planning

Hoshin Planning:

Hoshin is a Japanese word that can be translated into English as "target", or "policy". Nevertheless, this word is often used synonymously with "breakthrough issue(s)" for an individual or organization.

Hoshin planning (policy deployment) involves identification of driving or breakthrough issues for the organization. It creates action plans for every member of the organization to accomplish his/her portion of those breakthrough issues.

Hoshin planning is:

	customer driven
	data based
	mission and vision focused
	done by participation of all members of the organization
	with a proper hoshin plan, each division/employee knows the organization's hoshin, and the tasks that (s)he must accomplish to allow the hoshin to be achieved
	basic TQM tools such as affinity diagrams, tree diagrams, prioritization matrices, the process decision program charts are used in hoshin planning
	the hoshin plan creates relatively short-term goals
	hoshin reviews are conducted periodically (monthly, weekly, and even daily)

Hoshin planning is a type of strategic planning. Strategic planning, in general, is an iterative process of setting and revising the mission, objectives and strategies of an organization.

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Mission:	The organization's purpose for existing. It should be short, flexible, and distinctive
Objective/goal:	A statement of aim or purpose. Quantitative, or qualitative. They should be challenging, few in number, inspiring and stable.
Strategies:	Broad categories or types of action to achieve objectives. They should be connected, active, pragmatic, and flexible.
Actions/tasks:	Individual steps to implement strategies.