Learning objective
Explain how catchball turns strategic priorities into testable local contributions.
Why it matters
Annual goals are announced but teams cannot connect them to feasible work or challenge the assumptions behind them.
Core concept
Set a small set of breakthrough objectives, negotiate contributions across levels and functions through catchball, then review lead indicators and adapt the plan through PDCA. Alignment is a dialogue, not a one-way cascade.
Scenario
A regional health network promises shorter referral waits. Clinics point out that incomplete referrals and staffing gaps, not just scheduling, determine delay.
Worked decision
Keep the access objective, negotiate clinic-specific contributions, test referral completeness first and review actual patient wait time monthly.
Decision rule
Revise activities when evidence contradicts the plan, while retaining the strategic intent.
Ethical boundary
Cascading numeric targets without resources, local knowledge or a mechanism for changing course.
AI lens
Use AI to organize evidence, then verify its source and keep decision authority with people.
Quick check
What would invalidate the first proposed action? Cascading numeric targets without resources, local knowledge or a mechanism for changing course.
Next step
Complete the Hoshin Kanri case.