How to create BSC working group?
Balanced scorecard has received a huge portion of criticism from top managers, business owners and generally all those who tried to use balanced scorecard and failed. However, there are companies who think they use balanced scorecard but in fact this revolutionary strategic management tool plays a role of just another accounting or managerial control system. Well, it is possible to use balanced scorecard in such a way, but balanced scorecard will be VERY expensive tool. Besides, it has been observed that ordinary personnel does not like any control tools. Thus, misuse of balanced scorecard will ‘cause opposition and resistance of personnel.
How to create an effective working group?
Sometimes company simply develop strategy maps, lead a seminar and present strategic maps to business owners and company personnel, and it all ends at this stage. Besides, it often happens that strategy maps are developed by some external advisors and company top managers which are sometimes unaware of problems on lower company levels. Attraction of external advisors is a good thing but these people do not know the history of the company, its organization structure, current problems and concerns, future challenges etc. That’s why, it is imperative to attract own professionals to development and promotion of balanced scorecard in the company.
Do not forget to get ordinary personnel involved to discussion of BSC project
For example, when developing strategy maps for a logistics company is not just enough to have a few managers who will draw something that looks like a strategy map. A real strategy map should include cause and effect ties between goals and measures. For example, if customers timely receive their products they are more likely to use company services once again. Or if logistics managers use new IT tools the shipment time decreases of which improves customer satisfaction and this results in the fact that one time customers may become regular ones.
Strategy maps for logistics company were department must be developed both by business expert and professionals in the field of logistics. It is through an extensive discussion that company top management and ordinary personnel may reach consensus. Of moreover, the dissipation of ordinary logistics managers in discussion of balanced scorecard and strategy maps will intensify their faith in the power of this system which is very important, as when personnel does not believe in balance scorecard strategy maps will now work in the company.
Even before getting started the company should share responsibilities. In other words, everyone should know his duties and responsibilities as well as to understand how his job influences company progress on the way to implement strategic goals.
