Catchball: three replies poster

Catchball is the back-and-forth in hoshin kanri by which a goal passed down from one level is answered by the level below, so the target that is finally agreed is one its owner believes they can reach. The reply takes one of three forms: adopt the goal as written, write our own version with our own KPI and target under the same parent, or explain why it does not apply here. This poster gives the three replies and what each must contain, and the rule that turns a cascade into catchball: every reply has a date.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 457 KB · no form

Free to print and share with your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.

The words on the poster

Catchball: three replies

A goal passed down gets an answer back, by a date. Then it is a shared goal.

Adopt Adopt it as written. Goal, KPI and target fit this site as they are. Name the owner here. Say why it matters here.
Rewrite Write our own version. Same direction, our KPI and target. Same parent goal. Say what it takes. This reply builds ownership.
Not here It does not apply, and here is why. No such process, at target already, or a bigger goal. A reason, not a shrug. Written down.

Reply by a date. Catchball is a conversation with a deadline. Toss, reply, agree, then review every month.

After the Lean Enterprise Institute's description of catchball (Josh Howell, Lean Post, 2022) and its lexicon entry on hoshin kanri.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Catchball: three replies poster to work

1
Hand it to each facility or department leader with the year's goals, so the reply comes back in one of three forms.
2
Use it in the planning meeting to time-box the replies: a reply date for each goal, then the agreed version is fixed.
3
Check the Not applicable replies together: a reason, and a decision from the level above.
4
Pair it with the free nemawashi plan, to prepare people before the catchball starts.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.