Introduction to Chapter 3What Is Hoshin Kanri?Three Words to Describe Hoshin Kanri?The History of HoshinWhy Use Hoshin?Prerequisites, Critical Success Factors, Secrets, and Keys to Success?Lessons Learned?What Can Go Wrong?Who Uses Hoshin Kanri? (And Why Not More Users?)Different Approaches to Hoshin?Importance of Vision?Hoshin Objectives: How Many and What Should They Be?Cascading of Objectives?The PDCA Cycle (Plan–Do–Check–Act)The Catchball ProcessThe Hoshin ToolsAffinity DiagramsThe X-Matrix and the A3The Hansei–Hoshin Reflection ToolMetricsBalanced Scorecard versus Hoshin?How Are Hoshin Kanri and Lean Six Sigma Related?Index of Expert InterviewsThe Catalyst for Success with Hoshin KanriSome Words of CautionRecommended Reading