Key Points

• Software can reduce a lot of the tedium that comes with managing any Hoshin Kanri projects.
• Modern software suites should come with X-matrix, project management, and other key features.
• Most digital tools are a robust way of simplifying any Hoshin Kanri project, allowing teams to focus on what matters most in achieving goals.

Technology is one of the most useful things at your disposal when it comes to your Hoshin Kanri processes. While pen and paper certainly have their place, even in the modern world, the advent of modern software suites has given a shot in the arm to how people are conducting Hoshin Kanri lifecycles.

While you’re certainly allowed to continue with your X-matrices and A3 reports, you might want to take a closer look at what you’re missing. The world of modern software offers up quite a variety of tools and improvements to traditional workflows. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the top digital tools for making your Hoshin Kanri processes go off without a hitch.

Amplon

Starting us off today is Amplon, a robust software suite intended for use in Hoshin Kanri processes from beginning to end. The software suite comes loaded with features that should make your planning, implementation, and data gathering a breeze.

Amplon comes with an interactive X-matrix, a central part of any Hoshin Kanri effort. You can readily link long-term goals, yearly goals, and other key metrics in the blink of an eye. This interactive X-matrix also promotes transparency, allowing users to see the dependencies throughout a given project.

AI integration is a new feature to the Amplon suite, and a welcome one. The tailored AI helps users to determine the precise objectives they’re after while maintaining the best practices of Hoshin Kanri in the process.

KPI Fire

Another purpose-built software suite for Hoshin Kanri processes is KPI Fire. This all-inclusive platform is built to address the perceived execution gap in Hoshin Kanri. It does so by allowing users to transparently align strategic goals, manage projects to drive execution, and ultimately engage your workforce.

The Strategy Planner is the beating heart of KPI Fire and allows you to more ably define your overall strategic plan. The usual X-matrix is nowhere to be found. Instead, the software makes heavy use of a visual tool that allows you better control of your strategy. Like a traditional X-matrix, this links objectives, annual goals, and projects in an easy-to-understand visual framework.

Real-time data collection is another key feature. Managers can readily see what is happening with KPIS across all teams, departments, or projects at a glance. Metrics are categorized with color coding, enabling any team leader to immediately grasp if a metric is on target or not.

i-nexus

Built with strategic planning in mind, i-nexus is a robust software suite intended to take your team to the next level. You’ve got some of the usual suspects readily available, with a fully digital X-matrix, easy-to-use catchall process, and extensive management tools.

What separates i-nexus from the rest is how it readily disposes of spreadsheets, focusing instead on results. This doesn’t mean you’re left without data, as you’ve got plenty of options for keeping track of KPIs.

i-nexus tracks performance, delivers automated reports, and can generate countermeasure reports to give an idea of what corrective actions need to be taken. If you’re looking to make your Hoshin Kanri processes painless, i-nexus might just be what the doctor ordered.

KaiNexus

KaiNexus is built with continuous improvement in mind, making it a great fit for your Hoshin Kanri processes. Like the other suites covered so far, KaiNexus does come with a modern take on the X-matrix, providing rich visualization for everyone to grasp.

When creating your X-matrix, you can define the strategy you’re pursuing while involving multiple shareholders to keep your organization aligned with the set goals. Priorities are easily set. Pursuing goals while optimizing resources becomes a trivial endeavor.

KaiNexus is built to drive employee engagement, getting everyone involved through easily manageable goals. Breaking broader projects into smaller achievable milestones makes it far easier to get the work done and get your Hoshin Kanri project back on track. It isn’t hard to see why some organizations are readily using KaiNexus for their Hoshin Kanri needs.

LeanOptima

While ostensibly designed primarily with Lean in mind, LeanOptima is a great fit for Hoshin Kanri. It comes with a bevy of features that make working on any Hoshin Kanri process a breeze. X-matrix management is one of the key features, and users can easily create, edit, and cascade their matrices as needed.

The monthly review process is also relatively painless, with consistent and reliable navigation of your target dashboards and suggested countermeasures. Action plans are provided as a summary or getting deeper in the weeds with low-level looks at what is happening with your current projects.

LeanOptima also comes with full support for planning and enacting your Kaizen events. As a core function of the software platform, you’ve got the means to schedule, conduct, and manage your current Kaizen events. Compared to other software platforms, LeanOptima emphasizes standardized, consistent approaches to your Hoshin Kanri processes, making it an ideal fit for any organization looking to streamline any project.

HoshinCloud

The last of our specialized platforms, HoshinCloud, might be one of the best around for managing Hoshin Kanri processes. Goal management is a breeze with the software thanks to robust management tools that promote transparency and full catchball support. Additionally, you’ve got access to the usual suspects like a digital X-matrix, structured planning, and a host of project management tools.

As an all-inclusive tool, you’ve got plenty of support for performance tracking your current projects. KPI tracking, real-time insights, and scorecards are just a few of the major features that help teams stay on the ball when using HoshinCloud.

If compliance is a concern, don’t worry, because the software comes with full support for audits, leaving a visible and easily found audit trail to maintain transparency and stay in spec regardless of the industry. HoshinCloud is a great tool for just promoting general efficiency in your Hoshin Kanri processes. The software suite cuts down significantly on the amount of legwork needed to get a project up and running, letting you focus on what truly matters.

Slack

Our final tool, Slack, isn’t built with Hoshin Kanri processes in mind necessarily. However, as more of the workforce begins to transition to remote and hybrid workspaces, it helps to stay in communication. Slack is an asynchronous chat client, acting more like an old-school chatroom than the usual stodgy communication tools we’re used to.

What makes Slack such a vital part of any Hoshin Kanri project is what it enables. Transparency and communication are crucial for the success of any Hoshin Kanri efforts, and you’ll readily find having a means to stay in touch across teams and departments a blessing.

You can get started with it for free as well, making this one of the few tools that doesn’t require a significant investment to get up and running. Paid plans are available, which bring better overall features like storage, message retention, and more concurrent users for a given workspace.

Other Useful Tools and Concepts

Looking to get the work week started right? You might do well to learn how to best implement value stream mapping at your organization. This useful tool can readily increase efficiency, reduce waste, and get your projects back on track.

Additionally, you might want to consider learning how BPR works. This drastic approach isn’t concerned with incremental improvements, but rather a complete overhaul of your current processes. It isn’t something to take lightly, however, as you’ll need a disciplined and prepared workforce to make the most of it.

Conclusion

While some die-hards aren’t likely to leave behind their pen and paper just yet, the digital tools on offer for Hoshin Kanri processes take quite a bit of the legwork out of your projects. When it comes to sticking to strategy, continuous improvement, and making the most of your efforts, software might be just what you need.