Implementing Hoshin Kanri with Software
“Why Choose Hoshin Kanri Software – We Already Have Excel?”
Hoshin Kanri is a powerful methodology for strategic planning and management. It helps organizations align their objectives with their vision and mission while ensuring that everyone works toward the same goals. Dedicated Hoshin Kanri software can jumpstart or enhance an organization’s implementation, bringing clarity, consistency, and transparency to the process.
Many organizations initially use Excel or similar office tools to document Hoshin Kanri materials. While familiar and accessible, these tools come with limitations that often hinder successful strategy execution.
The Limitations of Using Excel for Hoshin Kanri
1. Document Management Challenges
Storing files on platforms like SharePoint may seem convenient, but managing versions and access in larger organizations becomes difficult over time. Open sharing with many employees requires complex access controls—and often, separate PDF versions.
2. Manual Alignment and Catchball
Cross-functional alignment (or catchball) usually involves comparing spreadsheets side-by-side. This manual process makes horizontal alignment between departments inefficient and difficult to track.
3. Fragmented Project Management
Projects that span multiple departments often require additional tools, as Excel lacks integrated project portfolio management capabilities.
4. Time-Consuming Updates
Updating data manually for daily, weekly, and monthly management processes can quickly become overwhelming, especially in fast-paced environments.
5. Hidden Training Costs
Office software requires custom templates and significant training for all users—something organizations often underestimate when choosing Excel over purpose-built tools.
Why Hoshin Kanri Software Is the Better Option
1. Full Transparency Across the Organization
Amplon’s Hoshin Kanri software includes user-specific access rights so individuals can view or edit materials as needed. The X matrix clearly visualizes each department’s strategy, boosting transparency and employee engagement by making this information widely accessible.
All changes are automatically saved to a centralized database. Those with editor rights can frequently update KPIs and project progress, ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned.
2. Faster Alignment Across Teams
One of Amplon’s core strengths is accelerating alignment across departments and levels. There’s no need to manually compare Excel sheets—alignment is visual, real-time, and trackable.
Managers can quickly see alignment status, improving communication, collaboration, and overall coordination. Side-by-side X matrix views help teams resolve discrepancies and align strategies more effectively.
This approach enhances engagement, even across multiple teams, ensuring everyone contributes toward the same goals and increasing the likelihood of successful strategy execution.
3. Real-Time Dashboards for Strategic Agility
As organizations grow, agility becomes essential. Amplon simplifies the management of strategic projects by integrating project portfolio management with real-time tracking.
Updates are visible instantly across the organization, streamlining daily, weekly, and monthly check-ins. This speeds up the maturity of your management system and enables better decision-making through real-time data and analytics on resource allocation and risk management.
4. Smooth Implementation with AI Assistance
Getting started with Hoshin Kanri can be daunting—especially for organizations new to the method or unfamiliar with setting measurable objectives. Amplon’s AI-assisted coach supports managers in creating high-quality strategic objectives, reducing implementation time by up to 50%.
Thanks to its SaaS and cloud-based architecture, Amplon can be fully set up in just a few hours.
5. Usability and Efficiency from Day One
With ready-made templates, Amplon immediately improves data quality. Its intuitive interface lets users focus on strategic content, not on the mechanics of the tool.
One CEO remarked: “It took me less than an hour to formulate a group strategy in Amplon.”
Unlike Excel, Amplon is designed specifically for Hoshin Kanri—empowering teams to work more efficiently and drive results with confidence.
