Developed by Robert Kaplan and David Norton in the early 1990s, the Balanced Scorecard has emerged as the critical tool for organizations wishing to successfully navigate the winds of change. Rather than focusing on financial numbers, the Balanced Scorecard translates your strategy into performance measures in four, balanced perspectives: Customer, Internal Processes, Employee Learning and Growth, and Financial. This integrated collection of performance measures describes and translates your strategy allowing you to look to where you're going, not just where you've been as is often the case with "rearview mirror" financial results. With this system in place you have the tool you need to guide the actions of every employee in the organization toward your overall goals.

If you’re new to the Balanced Scorecard, please consider reviewing one of the following articles, available for free download from our Resources page:

If you’re from the private sector: "Driving Focus and Alignment with the Balanced Scorecard."

If you’re from the public sector: "Using the Balanced Scorecard in the Public Sector."

If you’re from the nonprofit sector: "Why Nonprofits need a Balanced Scorecard."