A3 HOSHIN PLANNING
workshop
Strategic Deployment for Operational Excellence.
Description
In today’s dynamic business environment, strategic vision alone is not enough—what separates high-performing organizations is the ability to turn vision into disciplined execution and alignment. This course on A3 Hoshin Planning introduces a practical framework for translating strategic intent into actionable goals and measurable outcomes. Drawing from the powerful teachings of Pascal Dennis in his book Getting the Right Things Done, this program equips leaders with the mindset, methods, and tools to deploy strategy effectively through the A3 Hoshin Planning process.
Rooted in the Lean philosophy of the Toyota Production System, this workshop helps organizations translate their “True North” into aligned goals, measurable initiatives, and sustainable results. Participants will learn to leverage the A3 as a collaborative planning and communication tool, integrate PDCA cycles into strategy review, and apply Catchball to build cross-functional alignment and ownership.
Who Should Attend
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Senior leaders and executives responsible for strategic direction, goal-setting and deployment.
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Business improvement professionals, Lean / CI practitioners facilitating strategy and performance management.
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Department heads, program owners and project managers who lead cascaded initiatives and need alignment across functions.
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Anyone involved in translating strategy into action and monitoring results through systematic review.
Training Methodology
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Interactive lecture, group work, case examples, template-driven planning, facilitated discussions, peer sharing.
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Participants are encouraged to bring a current strategic objective or initiative relevant to their organization for immediate application during the workshop.
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Participants will work through real or pre-selected organizational goals to draft an A3 Hoshin Planning sheet during the session.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Translate the organizational “True North” into clear strategic direction using the A3 Hoshin Planning process.
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Apply the A3 tool effectively for planning, deployment and review of strategic initiatives.
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Navigate the Check & Adjust phase for robust strategic review and real-time refinement of plans.
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Facilitate collaborative alignment across levels using the Catchball process and ensure ownership of strategic goals.
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Embed success factors and lean practices to sustain strategic execution and continuous improvement.
Workshop Outline
1. Key Concepts & Principles of Hoshin Planning
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Understand the purpose, benefits, and PDCA foundation of Hoshin Kanri.
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Learn how to align strategic vision (“True North”) with measurable outcomes.
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Explore principles of A3 Thinking, Catchball, and focusing on the “vital few.”
2. True North, A3 and Bridging the Gap
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Define “True North” as a guiding vision translating aspiration into direction.
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Examine how A3 Thinking connects current and desired states.
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See examples of alignment using “Mother” and “Daughter” A3s.
3. Hoshin Formulation & Deployment
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Apply PDCA to formulate and deploy annual and multi-year Hoshins.
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Cascade corporate goals into functional and individual objectives.
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Learn prioritization and goal deployment through real-world examples.
4. A3 Hoshin Template Overview
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Review key elements of the A3 Hoshin template and its logical flow.
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Clarify roles, responsibilities, and ownership for each A3.
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Translate strategic priorities into actionable, measurable plans.
5. The A3 Hoshin Plan Completion Sequence
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Follow the 8-step process from defining objectives to tracking results.
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Build a complete A3 plan integrating goals, rationale, and KPIs.
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Use visuals and concise storytelling to communicate strategy.
6. A3 Hoshin Breakdown: Step-by-step Guide
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Learn how each section connects to tell a clear strategic story.
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Apply structured logic and visual clarity for effective communication.
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Recognize common pitfalls and best-practice examples.
7. Check & Adjust (Strategic Review)
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Conduct regular reviews comparing planned vs. actual results.
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Identify deviations, root causes, and corrective actions.
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Embed learning and improvement into the next planning cycle.
8. Success Factors for A3 Hoshin Planning
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Maintain leadership commitment and disciplined reviews.
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Use Catchball to align goals and build ownership.
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Focus on simplicity, transparency, and continuous learning.
Award of Certificate
Certificate of Attendance will be issued to participants who have attended at least 75% of the workshop
Duration
Typically 1 day (or extendable to 1.5–2 days depending on depth and workshop design).