Introduction

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) helps organizations translate strategy into a clear set of objectives, measures, targets, and initiatives across key perspectives.
This practical program builds core skills in creating strategy maps, selecting balanced KPIs, setting targets, aligning departments, and running a simple performance review cycle using easy templates.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the Balanced Scorecard and how it supports strategy execution
• Build a basic strategy map with linked strategic objectives
• Select KPIs and targets across the four BSC perspectives
• Align departmental scorecards to corporate priorities
• Set up governance, reporting, and review routines

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

• Corporate planning and performance specialists
• Strategy, PMO, and transformation teams
• Department heads and KPI owners
• Analysts preparing scorecards and reports
• Anyone supporting strategy execution and performance reviews

Course Outline

Day 1: Balanced Scorecard Basics and Setup

• What BSC is and when to use it
• Four perspectives: Financial, Customer, Internal Process, Learning & Growth
• From vision to strategic themes and goals
• Common implementation mistakes to avoid
• Activity: Draft strategic themes and objectives list

Day 2: Strategy Mapping and Cause-and-Effect Links

• Turning objectives into a simple strategy map
• Cause-and-effect logic across perspectives
• Defining objective statements (clear and measurable)
• Selecting a few “must-win” objectives
• Workshop: Create a one-page strategy map

Day 3: Measures, KPI Definitions, and Targets

• Choosing KPIs for each objective (leading/lagging balance)
• KPI definition sheets: formula, owner, source, frequency
• Target setting and thresholds (RAG rules)
• Data readiness and basic validation checks
• Activity: Build KPI definitions and targets for the map

Day 4: Initiatives, Alignment, and Cascading

• Linking initiatives to objectives and KPIs
• Prioritizing initiatives (impact vs effort)
• Cascading scorecards to departments and teams
• Responsibilities: owners, timelines, and resources
• Case study: Align a department scorecard to corporate BSC

Day 5: Governance, Reporting, and Review Cycle

• Scorecard reporting formats (simple monthly/quarterly pack)
• Performance review meetings: agenda, roles, actions
• Managing underperformance: root causes and corrective actions
• Refreshing the scorecard annually and adjusting targets
• Final project: Present a corporate BSC pack (map + KPIs + initiatives + review plan)