Applying the business mantra "HORENSO" to Achieve 360-degree Communication
Last updated: December 12, 2022 Read in fullscreen view
Recommended for you
- 01 Apr 2022
Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram in software project management 2306 - 09 Sep 2022 Kaizen, Kaikaku and Kakushin – what’s the difference? 2134
- 24 Nov 2022 Genba Genbutsu Genjitsu (3Gs), (Go to the Genba & see for yourself!) 2129
- 02 Nov 2021 What is Terms of Reference (ToR)? 1093
- 02 Feb 2022 Yokoten: Best Practice Sharing from a success 1022
- 01 Aug 2024 The Standish Group report 83.9% of IT projects partially or completely fail 923
- 18 Oct 2021 Key Elements to Ramping Up a Large Team 892
- 03 Apr 2022 Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) 884
- 10 Nov 2021 5S methodology - the SECRET to Japanese SUCCESS 872
- 01 Oct 2020 Fail fast, learn faster with Agile methodology 755
- 14 Oct 2021 Advantages and Disadvantages of Time and Material Contract (T&M) 636
- 03 Jan 2024 What is the Ringi process? 611
- 13 Apr 2024 Lessons on Teamwork and Leadership from Chinese story book "Journey to the West" 603
- 09 Sep 2022 What is 5 Whys (Five Whys)? 598
- 18 Oct 2020 How to use the "Knowns" and "Unknowns" technique to manage assumptions 598
- 20 Jul 2022 Software Myths and Realities 589
- 19 Oct 2021 Is gold plating good or bad in project management? 578
- 01 Dec 2023 What is Amoeba Management? 563
- 17 Mar 2023 Reduce waste in software development with 3M model: Muda, Mura, Muri 552
- 02 May 2022 What Is RAID in Project Management? (With Pros and Cons) 535
- 29 Aug 2022 Difference between Kaizen and Innovation 518
- 15 Jul 2022 Hansei Methodology: Continuously Engaging People in Improvement 515
- 01 Jan 2023 How To Use Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing) Technique To Improve Software Quality 509
- 13 Jan 2020 Quiz: Test your understanding project cost management 498
- 08 Oct 2022 KPI - The New Leadership 486
- 14 Jun 2022 Example and Excel template of a RACI chart in Software Development 473
- 15 Apr 2022 Total Quality Management (TQM) - Japanese-style management approach to quality improvement. 453
- 18 Dec 2023 The Cone of Uncertainty in Scrum & Requirement Definition 437
- 01 Mar 2022 The Toyota Way Management Principles 425
- 27 Aug 2022 Kaizen - Culture of Continuous Improvement and Lean Thinking 417
- 27 Jan 2020 Should a project manager push developers to work more hours due to mistakes of manager schedule setting? 389
- 06 Jun 2022 HEIJUNKA: The art of leveling production 385
- 19 Sep 2022 Jidoka in Software Development and Odoo ERP/MRP 356
- 23 Sep 2021 INFOGRAPHIC: Top 9 Software Outsourcing Mistakes 324
- 02 Nov 2023 Unlocking Success with The Amoeba Management Model: Key Lessons, Pros & Cons, and Finding the Perfect Fit 310
- 12 Aug 2022 What is End-to-end project management? 303
- 11 Jan 2024 What are the Benefits and Limitations of Augmented Intelligence? 295
- 07 Jul 2022 Managing Project Execution Terms 293
- 10 Dec 2023 Pain points of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) 290
- 03 Jan 2023 Organizing your agile teams? Think about M.A.T (Mastery, Autonomy, Purpose) 289
- 29 Nov 2021 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Partnership Agreements 287
- 28 Dec 2021 8 types of pricing models in software development outsourcing 286
- 17 Oct 2021 Does Fast Tracking increase project cost? 279
- 26 Sep 2024 Successful Project Management Techniques You Need to Look Out For 271
- 19 Apr 2021 7 Most Common Time-Wasters For Software Development 265
- 31 Oct 2021 Tips to Fail Fast With Outsourcing 259
- 13 Dec 2020 Move fast, fail fast, fail-safe 253
- 09 May 2022 Build one to throw away vs Second-system effect: What are differences? 250
- 06 Feb 2021 Why fail fast and learn fast? 232
- 06 Jun 2022 Change Management at the Project Level 230
- 22 May 2022 What are common mistakes that new or inexperienced managers make? 226
- 10 Apr 2024 The Parking Lot Method: Unlocking a Simple Secret to Supercharge Your Productivity 223
- 15 May 2022 20 Common Mistakes Made by New or Inexperienced Project Managers 202
- 18 Aug 2022 What are the consequences of poor requirements with software development projects? 201
- 06 Nov 2019 How to Access Software Project Size? 200
- 20 Dec 2021 What is Hybrid Mobile App Development? 195
- 12 Mar 2022 The u-Japan concept 195
- 01 Jun 2020 Japan Business Review (JBR) 194
- 01 Aug 2022 Is planning "set it and forget it" or "set it and check it"? 189
- 04 Mar 2024 Tree Ring Management: Take the Long Term View and Grow Your Business Slowly 184
- 10 Nov 2022 Poor Code Indicators and How to Improve Your Code? 178
- 02 Dec 2021 3 Ways to Avoid Scope Creep in IT Consulting 163
- 26 Dec 2023 Improving Meeting Effectiveness Through the Six Thinking Hats 158
- 17 Feb 2022 Prioritizing Software Requirements with Kano Analysis 153
- 01 Mar 2023 Bug Prioritization - What are the 5 levels of priority? 148
- 02 Jun 2024 Reviving Ancient Wisdom: The Spiritual Side of Project Management 142
- 10 May 2022 Levels of Teamwork 126
- 07 Dec 2023 12 project management myths to avoid 120
- 30 Nov 2023 Project Managers, Focus on Outcomes — Not Deliverables 119
- 07 Nov 2022 Why Design Thinking can save the outsourcing industry 110
- 24 Nov 2023 The project management paradox: Achieving MORE by doing LESS 109
- 05 Jan 2024 Easy ASANA tips & tricks for you and your team 105
- 02 Nov 2022 Difference between Change Management and Project Management 100
- 21 Jun 2024 Dead Horses and the Escalation of Commitment 96
- 23 Jun 2024 Best Practices for Managing Project Escalations 88
- 05 Jun 2023 Fractional, Part-Time (virtual) or Interim CTO: Who Will Cover Your Business Needs? 81
- 12 Mar 2024 How do you create FOMO in software prospects? 79
- 06 Dec 2024 Steps For Integrating Sustainable Practices Into Business Operations 76
- 01 Mar 2024 10 Project Management Myths 66
- 14 Mar 2024 Why should you opt for software localization from a professional agency? 64
- 07 Mar 2023 Japan’s Unusual Farming Strategy: Renting Land and Leaving It Fallow for 5 Years — Here’s the Truth… 16
Horensou is one of the most famous business etiquettes practiced in Japan. It is short for Report, Contact, and Consult in Japanese Business
The meaning of HORENSO
The concept of ho-ren-so, which are Japanese abbreviations for report, update and consult respectively, was originally developed for use in the manufacturing industry. It assumed a strict hierarchy, and the concept was designed for factory-workers to send a continual stream of information up to their managers, to ensure that they could make decisions with full information.
Ho-ren-so is a strictly one-way process, with no information being passed back down the hierarchy. In that model, it is assumed that all decisions are made at the top and passed back down the chain of command, with little to no feedback to what factory workers communicated upwards. Another major weakness is that decisions are concentrated at the top, which often leads to slow decisions and a lack of empowerment among employees.
Things to keep in mind:
- HO – Keep Everyone Informed
- REN – Stay in Touch and Follow Up
- SO – Consulting
Ho-Hōkoku (報告) refers to reporting. Regular reporting from subordinates to their supervisors on the work progress is essential. Junior staff must keep their immediate boss or any affected co-workers informed on the status of the task including items such as how a job is going when a job is done, or whether there are any hiccups or issues. Specifically, when problems arise, they must be reported immediately as the senior colleagues are usually the ones who are responsible for them. Ren-Renraku (連絡) means communication. Proper communication of simple information between co-workers must be facilitated regardless of rank or status. Such information refers to important details that could affect the work of your team. In contrast to hokoku where you report to a senior colleague, renraku is free sharing of important information amongst all ranks. For instance, if there are any project delays, you should communicate this information to all affected colleagues so they can adapt accordingly to the new work situation and minimize disruptions as much as possible. So-Sōdan (相談) is simply consulting with senior colleagues. When you need to make work decisions, the Japanese approach is that advice should be sought from seniors in order to lessen the burden of having to deal with the situation alone. Consultations between junior and senior colleagues are essential for building trust and resolving issues as a team. While it is fine to make your own decisions if you feel confident to do so, you should still keep your superiors in the loop about your decision and the eventual outcome.
Applying Horenso to your work to facilitate communication
To apply Ho, the idea is that everyone should be informed on what’s going on in the company. Taking the chance to speak up and offer information, being an active listener, and participating more in daily meetings would strengthen the exchange of information within your organization, especially when conferences are mostly conducted online these days. If your company does not have many meetings, it may be worth pitching 5-minute group chats at the start or end of each working day to stay on top of things as a team.
Ren could be applied by staying in touch and following up with one another. Email may not be the best medium for communication so it could be better to schedule a video call to your co-workers or bosses if physical check-ins are not possible these days. If you do need to email someone, be sure to follow up with a call or in-person as your co-workers may be bombarded by so many emails each day that they may not have seen your messages.
Looking before you leap is the key to applying So. Double-check with your colleagues before you make any work decisions. They may offer suggestions to revisions regarding your decision to learn to take it in your stride. The collectivist culture of making a decision works to ensure that the very best decision is made in the interest of the company. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra pair of eyes to check what you are doing before you take your next step in the decision-making process.
Wrapping
HORENSO can be a Japanese concept used in Japanese companies, but it can be easily applied to the work culture of any country. If you feel that your workplace has difficulty maintaining the flow of information, try to implement the HORENSO model with your colleagues.
Explore more on these topics
Guest Blogging: The Definitive Guide
Top Trending Topics
Share This
Recently Updated News
