Aligning business activities to a company's vision and strategy is a must to ensure operational excellence. This is easier said than done, since this will require specific processes to communicate objectives in a clear manner to all stakeholders, and a robust system to monitor the organization's performance against strategic goals from all perspectives.
The balanced scorecard which was developed by Dr. Robert Kaplan (Harvard Business School) and Dr. David Norton ensures the above are met. In this hands-on course, and after presenting the balanced scorecard elements including vision, mission, goals, objectives, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), targets and initiatives, participants will have the chance to build the balanced scorecard for a virtual company using a tested step-by-step model. The knowledge gained from attending this course will ensure that the participants will be able to review or develop the balanced scorecard for their department or organization.
Course Methodology
The course uses a mix of interactive and hands-on techniques. Besides brief presentations by consultant and participants, the thrust will be on developing all the elements of the balanced scorecard for a virtual company the trainer will introduce on day one. There will also be many group exercises throughout the five days.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Explain the benefits and importance of a Strategy Focused Organization (SFO)
Develop a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, vision and mission statements and strategic goals for their organization or department
Use 'SMART' objectives and key performance indicators to track the performance and productivity at all levels in their organizations
Apply the approach of best-in-class benchmarking technique to set targets for each KPI
Design a balanced scorecard based on the Kaplan and Norton model
Target Audience
All managers and supervisors involved in strategic planning and performance management. The course is also very helpful to those involved in improving performance and measuring results.
Target Competencies
Management and leadership
Strategic planning
Performance management
Influencing and communicating for impact
Analytical thinking
Course Outline
Benefits of strategic management and planning
The strategy focused organization
Why implement the balanced scorecard
Strategic planning needs and benefits
A strategic planning model
Balanced scorecard steps and timeline
'SWOT' analysis, vision and mission statements
The purpose of a 'SWOT' analysis
'SWOT' in brief
Linking the results of the 'SWOT' findings to future objectives and initiatives
Definition of a vision statement
Importance of a structured mission statement
Developing performance measures and control systems
Goals, objectives, and targets
'SMART' objectives
Key performance indicators
Aligning KPIs to company strategy
Obstacles to measurement
Developing strategies and initiatives that will assist in achieving the targets
Benchmarking as a tool to set targets
Objectives and basics of benchmarking
The who, what and why of benchmarking
Different methods of benchmarking
Who to benchmark against
The benchmarking process
The balanced scorecard as a strategic management system
Strategic planning and strategy execution
Translating the vision into everyday actions
Importance and history of the balanced scorecard
Principles of the strategy focused organization
Measuring business strategy from different perspectives
Strategic alignment and goal setting
Linking the balanced scorecard's KPIs to strategy
Strategy map: specifying relationships and making them testable