Finding Focus
Finding Focus
Coordinating continuous improvement and strategic goals across the organization with hoshin kanri
- Publication:
- Quality Progress
- Date:
- November 2026
- Issue:
- Volume 59 Issue 11
- Pages:
- pp. 30-37
- Author(s):
- Pastor, Rafael, Costas, José
- Organization(s):
- Iber-Oleff, Pombal, Portugal, Plastic7A, Llíria, Spain
Abstract
An organization’s maturity level reshapes its identity and strategy. Early stages are dominated by firefighting, while full maturity breaks down silos and embraces process- and customer-focused principles. This evolution is not a checklist, but a fundamental shift in how people think, act and collaborate.
At higher maturity levels, hoshin kanri becomes the strategic compass for world-class performance and sustainability. The method requires more than tools, though. It demands growing mastery of six interdependent gestalts that evolve with the organization’s journey.
The authors propose an integrated governance model in which continuous improvement is subordinated to hoshin kanri through an X-matrix, ensuring that every improvement initiative serves strategic purpose. Within this architecture, the third discipline is treated as late binding: Most reactive responses are pre-engineered preventively before support-oriented processes, enabling rapid diagnosis, containment and sustained organizational learning.To Access the Full Document:
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