What is Balanced Scorecard?

Meaning & Definition

Balanced Scorecard

The Balanced Scorecard is a strategic performance management framework and tool that helps organizations track and manage their performance by measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) in a balanced and comprehensive manner. Developed by Robert Kaplan and David Norton in the early 1990s, the Balanced Scorecard goes beyond traditional financial metrics to include a variety of non-financial performance indicators, providing a more holistic view of an organization’s strategy and performance.

The Balanced Scorecard typically includes four key perspectives, each with its set of KPIs:

• Financial Perspective

This perspective focuses on financial outcomes and measures that indicate the organization’s financial health and performance. It includes traditional financial metrics like revenue, profitability, cost control, and return on investment (ROI).

• Customer Perspective

The customer perspective assesses how the organization is perceived by its customers and stakeholders. It includes KPIs related to customer satisfaction, loyalty, market share, and the organization’s reputation in the marketplace.

• Internal Process Perspective

This perspective looks at the organization’s internal operations and processes. It involves identifying key internal processes that are critical to achieving strategic objectives and measuring their efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.

• Learning and Growth Perspective

The learning and growth perspective focuses on the organization’s ability to adapt, innovate, and learn. KPIs in this category include metrics related to employee training, skill development, employee engagement, and innovation.

The Balanced Scorecard provides a balanced view of an organization’s performance by considering both financial and non-financial factors. It helps organizations align their strategy with day-to-day operations and provides a framework for monitoring progress toward strategic objectives. Additionally, it facilitates communication and understanding of the organization’s strategy at all levels of the company.

The process of implementing the Balanced Scorecard typically involves the following steps:

• Clarify Strategy

Define and clarify the organization’s strategic objectives and the cause-and-effect relationships between different aspects of the strategy.

• Select KPIs

Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) for each of the four perspectives that align with the strategic objectives.

• Set Targets

Establish specific, measurable targets or goals for each KPI to indicate what success looks like.

• Implement and Monitor

Implement the Balanced Scorecard by regularly collecting data and monitoring performance against the KPIs.

• Analyze and Improve

Continuously analyze the results and take corrective actions to improve performance and strategy execution.

The Balanced Scorecard is widely used in various industries and sectors to manage and evaluate performance. It provides a structured approach to strategic management and helps organizations adapt to changing environments and achieve their long-term goals.