Using Hoshin Kanri X Matrix software for lean
strategy execution: A digital transformation
case study in Construction Manufacturing

Customer Overview

  • Industry: Prefabricated Modular Construction
  • Location: UK
  • Specialisation: Off-site modular building solutions for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects 
  • Core focus: Delivering high-quality, sustainable, and cost-efficient modular structures with lean methodologies
  • Challenges: Strategy misalignment, ineffective execution, and lack of real-time performance tracking

With a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, the company sought a digital solution to optimise strategy execution and KPI-driven decision-making—leading to the adoption of Hoshin Kanri X Matrix software.

Executive summary

A prefabricated modular construction firm in the UK faced significant challenges in strategic plan alignment, execution, and KPI tracking. Rapid project timelines, complex supply chains, and evolving customer demands required a structured approach to strategy deployment and performance monitoring.

To overcome these obstacles, the company implemented Data Point, the Digital Balanced Scorecard Software that provides a digital Hoshin Kanri X Matrix system, enabling seamless alignment between long-term objectives and daily execution. The results were immediate and measurable, through which the company streamlined decision-making, reduced delays, and strengthened its competitive edge in the modular construction industry.

Challenges of implementing Hoshin Kanri: Siloed goals, X Matrix misalignment, and static strategy planning

For years, the company has been a leader in modular construction, delivering high-quality, prefabricated buildings with impressive speed. However, as demand grew and projects became more complex, cracks in their strategy execution began to show.

Each department was working hard—but not always in sync. The design team pushed for innovation, the production team focused on speed, and procurement prioritised cost savings. These competing priorities, without a structured alignment, led to unexpected rework, delays, and rising costs.

  • A 20% cost overrun due to rework
  • Manual monitoring systems

    Made it difficult to measure organisational performance effectively.

  • A 15% delay in project timelines from misaligned workflows

The traditional X Matrix Template Excel they used for Hoshin planning became obsolete as projects evolved. Goals set by leadership failed to gain real engagement from frontline teams. The catchball process- which is the process of throwing ideas (or balls) between different levels of an organisation to encourage collaboration, felt more like a top-down directive than a shared vision. No one gets a clear way to attain goals.

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The Solution: A Digital Hoshin Kanri platform for agile policy deployment

sqdcp scorecard

The firm implemented Data Point digital balanced scorecard of the Lean Transition Solutions platform that is designed to integrate Hoshin Kanri methodology with lean manufacturing tools. The software’s X Matrix strategy planning tool became the centerpiece, replacing static Excel templates with dynamic, real-time dashboards.

Here’s how it worked:

  • The digital X Matrix in Data Point offered a centralised, visual view of business strategy.
  • Managers could see everything—from high-level goals to detailed action plans—in one interactive interface.
  • Eliminated the need for scattered spreadsheets or static documents.
  • Simplified the Hoshin Kanri process by clearly linking:
    • Strategic objectives
    • Key breakthroughs
    • Annual targets
    • Improvement priorities
  • Enabled cascading goals into team-level objectives.
  • Assigned responsibilities using visual dashboards.
  • Supported real-time creation and updates of action plans.
  • Ensured instant alignment, accountability, and progress tracking across the organisation.

The impact of Digital X matrix: From misalignment to clear strategy deployment

  • Decoding goals vs. objectives vs. strategies
    One of the biggest challenges the company faced was distinguishing between big-picture goals, measurable objectives, and actionable strategies. Here the policy deployment matrix made this clear by structuring everything in a logical, easy-to-follow way.

    Here’s how it worked in practice:
    • Goal – The long-term vision.
      Example: Achieve zero safety incidents within 18 months.
    • Objective – A measurable step toward the goal.
      Example: Reduce onsite injuries by 40% in Q3.
    • Strategy – The specific action to achieve the objective.
      Example: Implement AI-powered hazard detection tools.
    • With this structured approach, teams could align their efforts, track progress in real-time, and ensure every action contributed to the bigger picture.
  • Making strategy visible: Interactive & customisable X Matrix for enhanced communication
    One of the biggest advantages of the digital X Matrix tool was its visual clarity. It clearly communicated the Hoshin action plan. Instead of static spreadsheets, the company now had a fully interactive, clickable X Matrix, where teams could see, adjust, and track objectives in real-time.
    The customisable interface made it easy to cascade objectives—breaking down high-level goals into clear, actionable steps for different teams. Managers could assign responsibilities, while team members could instantly understand their role in achieving strategic targets. Additionally, X Matrix Bowling Charts provided a clear, at-a-glance view of progress, ensuring that performance could be monitored without the need for manual tracking. The company could now identify bottlenecks, track improvements, and make data-driven decisions—all in one place.
    With this visual and structured approach, the strategy was no longer just a documented plan—it became a living, adaptable framework that guided execution across the organisation.
  • Making collaboration easy: Automating the Catchball process
    Before using the digital Hoshin board, strategy discussions often felt one-sided—leaders set goals, but frontline teams struggled to implement them effectively. The X Matrix tool changed this by embedding the Catchball process into daily operations, making collaboration seamless.
    For example, when leadership proposed reducing material waste by 25%, the procurement team raised concerns about supplier limitations. Instead of lengthy email chains or meetings, they used the platform’s collaboration hub to discuss the challenge, share real-time data, and adjust the plan together.
    The result? A more practical, team-driven strategy. They could make a quick analysis and take a data-driven decision, which is to adopt just-in-time inventory management with key suppliers.
    This back-and-forth process ensured that every plan was realistic, well-supported, and aligned across departments, turning strategy into actionable, achievable steps.
  • Keeping track made easy: Real-time KPI monitoring
    Before using the goal matrix software, tracking KPIs in construction was a slow, manual process—teams relied on Excel sheets that were updated only once a week, often leading to delays in spotting issues.
    With the X Matrix tool, everything changed. The software automated KPI tracking and displayed real-time dashboards for key metrics like production cycle time and defect rates. The biggest advantage? Instant alerts. If waste levels exceeded limits, managers were notified immediately, allowing them to take quick action and trigger continuous improvement (Hoshin Kaizen) cycles.
    This shift from reactive to proactive KPI management helped the company reduce delays, improve efficiency, and stay on top of its strategic goals.
  • Turning plans into action: From A3 reports to Hoshin action plans
    Previously, teams relied on paper-based A3 reports to document problem-solving, making it hard to track progress or connect solutions to broader company goals.
    With the X Matrix tool, this process became fully digital. The software provided structured A3 Hoshin Kanri templates, allowing teams to log issues, track countermeasures, and record outcomes—all in one place.
    For example, when a module failed a quality check, the production team quickly documented the root causes, proposed solutions, and tracked the impact of corrective actions.
    Everything was automatically linked to the company's policy deployment matrix, ensuring that every improvement aligned with the bigger strategy.
    This shift made problem-solving more transparent, efficient, and actionable, helping the company drive continuous improvement at every level.
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Proven results: Faster lean strategy execution and significant cost savings with the best Hoshin Kanri X Matrix

Within six months, the firm saw measurable gains:

  • Faster strategy deploymentas teams used the Hoshin planning software to cascade goals vertically and horizontally.
  • 25% reduction in material wastethrough data-driven continuous improvement in construction.
  • On-time project delivery, thanks to real-time Hoshin action plan tracking.

The digital X Matrix also became a living document. During a supply chain disruption, leaders quickly pivoted by adjusting tactics in the software—something impossible with static Excel templates.

Why strategy deployment software is essential for executing a lean manufacturing strategy

The success hinged on three pillars:

  • Clarity in the Hoshin Kanri Process
    The software answered “how Hoshin Kanri X Matrix decodes and cascades goals” by making relationships between goals, actions, and metrics transparent.
  • Agility Over Rigidity
    Unlike traditional X Matrix Template Excel files, the digital tool allowed mid-cycle adjustments without derailing the entire plan.
  • Cultural Shift
    By integrating catchball hoshin into daily workflows, the firm moved from top-down mandates to a culture of collective accountability.

The Future of Hoshin Kanri is Digital

For manufacturing firms juggling complex projects and lean principles, digital Hoshin Kanri software is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative. This modular construction manufacturer’s journey proves that adopting the Hoshin Kanri methodology with agile technology unlocks faster alignment, sharper KPIs, and sustainable continuous improvement in construction.

Take your strategy execution to the next level with Data Point Balanced Scorecard

Both Hoshin Kanri and the Balanced Scorecard are powerful strategic planning frameworks—but when combined in a digital platform, they become unstoppable. As you know, Data Point Balanced Scorecard seamlessly integrates Hoshin Kanri with advanced tools like real-time KPI tracking, X Matrix visualisation, and continuous improvement workflows, ensuring that your strategy isn’t just planned but executed flawlessly. Don’t let misalignment and outdated tracking slow you down—adopt the best-in-class digital balanced scorecard for your Hoshin Kanri Process and achieve measurable results faster. Start using Data Point now and transform your strategy into action!

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