[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color_gradient_direction=”222deg” background_image=”https:\/\/balancedscorecard.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/header-rectangle-2.jpg” background_blend=”multiply” background_video_width=”1350″ background_video_height=”760″ custom_padding=”50.6125px|0px|50.6125px|0px” bottom_divider_style=”slant2″ bottom_divider_color=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style=”preset6″ transparent_background=”off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_cta title=”Balanced Scorecard Basics” use_background_color=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ header_font=”Raleway||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”31px” header_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ body_font=”||||||||” body_line_height=”1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]\u00a0
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The system connects the dots between big picture strategy elements such as mission (our purpose), vision (what we aspire for), core values (what we believe in), strategic focus areas (themes, results and\/or goals) and the more operational elements such as objectives (continuous improvement activities), measures (or key performance indicators, or KPIs, which track strategic performance), targets (our desired level of performance), and initiatives (projects that help you reach your targets).<\/p>\n
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BSCs are used extensively in business and industry, government, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. Gartner Group suggests that over 50% of large US firms have adopted the BSC. More than half of major companies in the US, Europe, and Asia are using the BSC, with use growing in those areas as well as in the Middle East and Africa. A recent global study by Bain & Co listed balanced scorecard fifth on its top ten most widely used management tools around the world, a list that includes closely-related strategic planning at number one. BSC has also been selected by the editors of Harvard Business Review as one of the most influential business ideas of the past 75 years.<\/p>\n
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The BSC suggests that we view the organization from four perspectives, and to develop objectives, measures (KPIs), targets, and initiatives (actions) relative to each of these points of view:<\/p>\n
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Strategic Objectives are the continuous improvement activities that we must do to implement strategy. The break down the more abstract concepts like mission and vision into actionable steps. Actions that your organization take should be helping you achieve your strategic objectives. Examples might include: Increase Revenue, Improve the Customer or Stakeholder Experience, or Improve the Cost-Effectiveness of Our Programs.<\/p>\n
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One of the most powerful elements in the BSC methodology is the use of strategy mapping to visualize and communicate how value is created by the organization. A strategy map is a simple graphic that shows a logical, cause-and-effect connection between strategic objectives (shown as ovals on the map). Generally speaking, improving performance in the objectives found in the Organizational Capacity perspective (the bottom row) enables the organization to improve its Internal Process perspective (the next row up), which, in turn, enables the organization to create desirable results in the Customer and Financial perspectives (the top two rows).<\/p>\n
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For each objective on the strategy map, at least one measure or Key Performance Indicator (KPI) will be identified and tracked over time. KPI\u2019s indicate progress toward a desirable outcome. Strategic KPIs monitor the implementation and effectiveness of an organization’s strategies, determine the gap between actual and targeted performance and determine organization effectiveness and operational efficiency.
\nGood KPIs:<\/p>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n
Cascading<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a balanced scorecard means to translate the corporate-wide scorecard (referred to as\u00a0Tier 1<\/strong>) down to first business units, support units or departments (Tier 2<\/strong>) and then teams or individuals (Tier 3<\/strong>). The end result should be focus across all levels of the organization that is consistent. The organization alignment should be clearly visible through strategy, using the strategy map, performance measures and targets, and initiatives. Scorecards should be used to improve accountability through objective and performance measure ownership, and desired employee behaviors should be incentivized with recognition and rewards.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n Cascading strategy focuses the entire organization on strategy and creating line-of-sight between the work people do and high level desired results. As the management system is cascaded down through the organization, objectives become more operational and tactical, as do the performance measures. Accountability follows the objectives and measures, as ownership is defined at each level. An emphasis on results and the strategies needed to produce results is communicated throughout the organization. This alignment step is critical to becoming a strategy-focused organization.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) was originally developed by Dr. Robert Kaplan of Harvard University and Dr. David Norton as a framework for measuring organizational performance using a more BALANCED set of performance measures. Traditionally companies used only short-term financial performance as measure of success. The \u201cbalanced scorecard\u201d added additional non-financial strategic measures to the mix in order to better focus on long-term success. The system has evolved over the years and is now considered a fully integrated strategic management system.<\/p>\n Adapted from Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, \u201cUsing the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System,\u201d Harvard Business Review (January-February 1996): 76.<\/p>\n While the phrase\u00a0balanced scorecard\u00a0was coined in the early 1990s, the roots of the this type of approach are deep, and include the pioneering work of General Electric on performance measurement reporting in the 1950\u2019s and the work of French process engineers (who created theTableau de Bord\u00a0\u2013 literally, a “dashboard” of performance measures) in the early part of the 20th century.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n This new approach to strategic management was first detailed in a series of articles and books by Drs. Kaplan and Norton and built on work by Art Schneiderman at Analog Devices. Recognizing some of the weaknesses and vagueness of previous management approaches, the balanced scorecard approach provides a clear prescription as to what companies should measure in order to ‘balance’ the financial perspective.<\/p>\n Kaplan and Norton describe the innovation of the balanced scorecard as follows:<\/p>\n “The balanced scorecard retains traditional financial measures. But financial measures tell the story of past events, an adequate story for industrial age companies for which investments in long-term capabilities and customer relationships were not critical for success. These financial measures are inadequate, however, for guiding and evaluating the journey that information age companies must make to create future value through investment in customers, suppliers, employees, processes, technology, and innovation.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/balancedscorecard.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/bsc-history.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_margin=”50px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”]\u00a0 Once a scorecard has been developed and implemented, performance management software can be used to get the right performance information to the right people at the right time. Automation adds structure and discipline to implementing the Balanced Scorecard system, helps transform disparate corporate data into information and knowledge, and helps communicate performance information. The Balanced Scorecard Institute formally recommends the\u00a0QuickScore Performance Information System<\/a>TM<\/sup>\u00a0developed by\u00a0Spider Strategies\u00a0<\/a>and co-marketed by the Institute.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/balancedscorecard.org\/staging\/balanced-scorecard-software\/” button_text=”Learn more” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16″ button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#7cda24″ button_border_radius=”5″ button_use_icon=”default”]\u00a0 The Institute\u2019s award-winning framework,\u00a0Nine Steps to SuccessTM<\/em>, is a disciplined, practical approach to developing a strategic planning and management system based on the balanced scorecard. Training is an integral part of the framework, as is coaching, change management, and problem solving. Emphasis is placed on \u201cteaching clients to fish, not handing them a fish\u201d, so the scorecard system can be sustained.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/balancedscorecard.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/bsc-development.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_margin=”50px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”]\u00a0 A key benefit of using a disciplined framework is that it gives organizations a way to \u2018connect the dots\u2019 between the various components of strategic planning and management, meaning that there will be a visible connection between the projects and programs that people are working on, the measurements being used to track success, the strategic objectives the organization is trying to accomplish and the mission, vision and strategy of the organization.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.91″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_color_all=”#ffffff” use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\n To learn more about this methodology, see our\u00a0Professional Certification Programs<\/a>, which are offered in association with the George Washington University College of Professional Studies, or\u00a0contact us directly<\/a>\u00a0with questions or\u00a0inquiries about\u00a0consulting [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \u00a0 The balanced scorecard (BSC) is a\u00a0strategic planning and management\u00a0system that organizations use to: Communicate what they are trying to accomplish Align the day-to-day work that everyone is doing with strategy Prioritize projects, products, and services Measure and monitor progress towards strategic targets The system connects the dots between big picture strategy elements such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-163","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nBSC History<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nBSC Automation and Performance Analysis<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/balancedscorecard.org\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/app.jpg” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_margin=”50px|||” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”off” sticky=”off”]\u00a0
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.106″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nBSC Development<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nHow to Learn More<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ background_color=”#57993d” admin_label=”section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#8d9944″ background_color_gradient_end=”#49752a” custom_padding=”80px|0px|54px|0px” top_divider_style=”slant2″ top_divider_height=”60px” top_divider_flip=”vertical” transparent_background=”off” global_module=”149″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_cta button_url=”\/contact-us\/” button_text=”Contact Us For More Information” use_background_color=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.102″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” border_color_all=”#ffffff” animation_style=”fade” text_shadow_style=”preset2″ use_border_color=”off”]<\/p>\nWe Help Organizations Focus on Strategy and Improve Performance<\/h1>\n