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STRATEGY MAPS
Converting Intangible Assets
  Into Tangible Outcomes
ROBERT S. KAPLAN and DAVID P. NORTON
 ROBERT KAPLAN is the professor of leadership development at Harvard Business School. He is also
 chairman of the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative. Dr. Kaplan is a business consultant, public speaker,
 researcher and teacher as well as the author of more than 120 published articles or papers and eleven books.
 This is the third book Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Norton have written, the previous titles being The Balanced
 Scorecard and The Strategy-Focused Organization.
 DAVID NORTON is president and co-founder of the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative, a professional
 services and business consulting firm. Dr. Norton is a management consultant, researcher and speaker. He
 previously worked at Renaissance Solutions Inc., a business consulting firm, and Nolan, Norton & Company.
                          The balanced scorecard Web site is at www.bscol.com.




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Strategy Maps - Page 1

                                                             MAIN IDEA
In business, you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Nor can you measure what you can’t describe. This is a problem because for
many enterprises, more than 75-percent of their market value is generated by intangible assets which traditional financial and
accounting metrics simply don’t capture at all.
To address this problem, thousands of companies worldwide have adopted the “Balanced Scorecard” approach which supplements
financial measures (which summarize the results of actions taken previously) with nonfinancial measures (of customers, internal
processes and learning and growth) to capture the lead indicators of future financial performance. In this way, direct links are formed
between the strategy a company chooses and its results. The directness of this link enhances the company’s ability to manage and
ultimately execute its desired strategy.
In developing a Balanced Scorecard for each organization, a strategy map is also developed which links intangible and tangible
assets with objectives in cause-and-effect relationships. Originally, strategy maps were considered a by-product but managers found
these maps were very useful in articulating the strategy of the organization and how that strategy links to the objectives. Put
differently, strategy maps help managers describe and manage strategy at an operational level because they show:
1. How value gets created from the organization’s internal and learning and growth perspectives.
2. The dynamics of the corporation’s strategy and the processes which are designed to create value.
3. How the company’s intangible assets – human, information and organizational capital – are measured and aligned.
Thus, strategy maps may have started out with a minor role but they have now moved to center stage in describing how an
organization creates value using both its tangible and intangible assets. They provide a framework by which important management
decisions can be made. And as such, every manager needs to understand his or her own organization’s strategy map. To try and
manage without a strategy map in place is like working in the dark. At the very least, any organization which understands its own
strategy map has a sustainable competitive advantage over those organizations which adopt a much more hit-and-miss approach.
“The strategy map has turned out to be as important an innovation as the original Balanced Scorecard itself. Executives find the visual
representation of strategy both natural and powerful. As one executive speaker exclaimed at the start of her talk, ‘I love strategy
maps’. When we post organization’s strategy maps on the walls of rooms where we hold conferences, delegates use their coffee
breaks to study each diagram – even for organizations completely different from their own. Strategy maps provide increased
granularity for executives to describe and manage strategy at an operational level of detail.”
                                               – Robert Kaplan and David Norton


1. The Basic Template of a Strategy Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 2 - 3
A strategy map provides a visual framework for an organization’s strategy – how it intends to create value.
Specifically, a good strategy map will link together:
1. The desired productivity and growth outcomes.
2. The customer value proposition which will be needed.
3. Outstanding performance in internal processes.
4. The capabilities required from intangible assets.
In effect, a strategy map captures the organization’s strategy in visual form so that managers can better
execute their desired strategy.
2. Managing the Four Themes of the Internal Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 4 - 5
A company or other organization creates value by producing goods and services that can be sold for a
profit. At one time, it was suggested managing these processes is the most important duty of
management. In today’s competitive environment, however, operational excellence alone is not enough to
provide a sustainable competitive edge. A strategy map helps ensure internal processes are well executed
and properly aligned with intangible assets and the customer value proposition.
3. Aligning and Managing the Creation of Value From Intangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 5 - 6
In order for added value to be realized from the three intangible assets, two things need to happen:
1. Intangible assets must be aligned with the strategy the organization is attempting to execute.
2. An integrated program must be undertaken under which an attempt is made to enhance all of the
   organization’s intangible assets in a coordinated fashion rather than in standalone programs.
The key to managing intangible assets is to measure their degree of “readiness” – which is defined as the
extent to which the intangible asset meets the requirements of the enterprise’s overall strategy.
4. Harmonizing Your Strategy Map and Your Business Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 - 8
A strategy map provides a concise yet comprehensive description of an organization’s strategy. With this
clarity, executives have an enhanced ability to describe, measure, manage and execute the desired
strategy. To get the most from a strategy map, however, it should be combined with a Balanced Scorecard
of measures, performance drivers, targets and initiatives. This combined strategy map and Balanced
Scorecard allows the effectiveness of the strategy to be constantly monitored and initiatives to be
managed with the goal of closing any gaps between target performance and actual results.
In short, when used in combination with a Balanced Scorecard, a strategy map helps organizations
execute more effectively.
Strategy Maps - Page 2

                                                                            The Balanced Scorecard approach is that instead of simply
  1.             The Basic Template of a Strategy Map
                                                                            setting financial targets, objectives must be established and
                                                                            progress measured in each of these four perspectives. That way,
                                                                            your organization will be leveraging its intangible assets in such a
A strategy map provides a visual framework for an organization’s
                                                                            way that sustainable value creation will be occurring.
strategy – how it intends to create value. Specifically, a good
strategy map will link together:                                            Strategy maps are built around the structure of these four
1. The desired productivity and growth outcomes.                            perspectives. They ensure that the organization’s objectives in
2. The customer value proposition which will be needed.                     each of these perspectives are consistent and internally aligned.
3. Outstanding performance in internal processes.                           That alignment, in turn, means the organization is focused and
4. The capabilities required from intangible assets.                        performing at an optimum level rather than having the actions of
                                                                            one part of the organization impact on the results achieved by
In effect, a strategy map captures the organization’s strategy in
                                                                            another part. Strategy maps clarify all cause-and-effect
visual form so that managers can better execute their desired
                                                                            relationships so that an effective strategy can be developed and
strategy.
                                                                            then optimized over time. They are the interface between
                                                                            strategy and the Balanced Scorecard.
Every organization has a strategy for how it plans on creating
value for its customers, shareholders and stakeholders.                            Mission              The                      Targets
Numerous approaches have been developed on how best to                             Vision               Organization’s           Objectives
describe and fine-tune strategy to enhance the creation of value.                  Values               Strategy Map             Measures
The Balanced Scorecard approach suggests that an
organization’s ability to create value in the future will be driven by      Conceptually, a strategy map links the high-level goals of the
four key factors or perspectives:                                           organization – its mission, values and vision – with meaningful
1. The financial perspective – what financial results will be               and actionable steps each employee can take. Strategy maps
   required to appear to be successful to its shareholders. This            also provide balance between the various competing dynamics
   will be a balance between investing for long-term growth or              every organization faces:
   cutting costs for superior short-term results.                           n    Whether to invest in intangible assets that will generate strong
2. The customer perspective – what specific and differentiated                   long-term revenue growth or focus on cutting costs more
   value proposition the organization is providing its customers.                aggressively so as to boost short-term results.
   In practice, there are four major value propositions:                    n    How to differentiate your organization from your competitors
   • Lowest total cost of ownership                                              by clarifying your value strategy – which usually involves one
   • Superior products or services                                               of the four different approaches already mentioned:
   • Offering complete customer solutions                                        1. Offering the lowest total cost to customers
   • System lock-in making switching difficult                                   2. Product leadership – always offering superior products
3. The internal perspective – the various internal processes by                  3. Making available complete customer solutions
   which products and services are prepared and delivered to                     4. Locking-in customers so its hard to switch to other vendors
   customers. These can be clustered into four groups:                      n    Which internal processes to focus on and optimize and which
   • Operations management – producing and delivering                            to outsource.
   • Customer management – relationship building
   • Innovation – next generation products or services                      n    How to balance the allocation of resources between the
   • Regulatory and social – complying with the law                              various internal processes in such a way that different
                                                                                 benefits are delivered at various points of time.
4. The learning and growth perspective – how intangible assets
   (people, technology, culture) are being improved so as to                n    How to align everything the organization does in such a way
   enable more added value to be created in the future.                          that the efforts of one part of the company don’t have a
   Intangible assets can be divided into three categories:                       negative impact on the results achieved elsewhere.
   • Human capital – your people                                            n    How to make good management decisions about
   • Information capital – what you know                                         investments in intangible assets as the drivers of
   • Organizational capital – how you operate                                    organizational growth in the future.

Financial perspective.....................                 Long-term Shareholder Value                     ........................Long-term objective

                                                    Productivity                 Growth

Customer perspective...................                             Customer                               ............Customer value proposition



Internal perspective......................    Operations    Customer         Product         Regulatory ...............Value-creating processes
                                             Management    Management      Innovation        and Social



                                                     Human         Information     Organizational           ............................Intangible assets
Learning & growing perspective.....
                                                     Capital         Capital          Capital

                                                            A simplified strategy map
Strategy Maps - Page 3



                                                      Basic template for a strategy map


                                                                     Long-Term Shareholder Value


                                         Productivity Strategy                                                    Growth Strategy


      Financial                  Improve Cost                     Increase Asset               Expand Revenue                 Enhance Customer
     Perspective                   Structure                         Utilization                Opportunities                      Value



                                                                       Customer Value Proposition

                                              Product / Service Attributes                                    Relationship             Image
      Customer
     Perspective               Price   Quality     Availability    Selection     Functionality          Service     Partnership         Brand



                               Operations      Customer Management                                Innovation              Regulatory and Social
                          Management Processes      Processes                                     Processes                    Processes
      Internal             n   Supply                     n   Selection                  n     Identify opportunity       n   Environment
     Perspective                                                                               R&D portfolio
                           n   Production                 n   Acquisition                n                                n   Safety & health
                           n   Distribution               n   Retention                  n     Design/Develop             n   Employment
                           n   Risk management            n   Growth                     n     Launch                     n   Community


                                                                               Intangible Assets

                                                Human Capital                 Information Capital         Organizational Capital
                                         n     Employee skills            n    Databases                  n Culture
  Learning & Growth
     Perspective                         n     Employee talents           n   Information systems         n   Leadership
                                         n     Know-how                   n   Networks                    n   Alignment
                                         n     Information                n   Infrastructure              n   Teamwork




“An organization’s strategy map and Balanced Scorecard should
tell the story of its strategy, a story that differentiates the                 “The strategy map, by providing a clear and comprehensive
organization from competitors.”                                                 description of an organization’s strategy, gives executives an
              – Robert Kaplan and David Norton                                  enhanced ability to execute their strategies. People can’t
                                                                                manage what they can’t measure, and they can’t measure what
“In summary, the strategy map template, customized to the                       they can’t describe. The strategy map solves this problem by
organization’s particular strategy, describes how intangible                    providing a framework for a simple, one-page representation of
assets drive performance enhancements to the organization’s                     the cause-and-effect linkages among the objectives for both the
internal processes that have the maximum leverage for                           outcomes and the drivers of the strategy. The word statements
delivering value to customers, shareholders and communities.”                   of objectives in a strategy map are, in turn, converted into a
              – Robert Kaplan and David Norton                                  Balanced Scorecard of measures, targets and initiatives. The
“The strategy map template also provides a checklist for a                      strategy map and Balanced Scorecard enable everyone in the
strategy’s components and interrelationships. If a strategy is                  organization to have a common understanding of the strategy.
missing an element on the strategy map template, the strategy is                The strategy map facilitates performance breakthroughs by
likely flawed. For example, we find that organizations frequently               allowing them to link their management processes to a clearly
have no connection between internal process measures and a                      defined strategy.”
customer value proposition. Such omissions will generally lead                                – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
to disappointing outcomes.”
               – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
Strategy Maps - Page 4


                    Managing the Four Themes of                                      1    Customer selection and targeting
  2.
                      the Internal Perspective
                                                                     Customer       2     Customer acquisition
                                                                    Management
                                                                                    3     Retention of quality customers
A company or other organization creates value by producing
goods and services that can be sold for a profit. At one time, it                   4     Building the customer relationship
was suggested managing these processes is the most important
duty of management. In today’s competitive environment,             Many organizations are weak in one or more of these areas. In
however, operational excellence alone is not enough to provide      customer management terms, organizations are:
a sustainable competitive edge. A strategy map helps ensure
                                                                    1. Segmenting the broader market into niches or target
internal processes are well executed and properly aligned with
                                                                       segments which can then be offered a specific and
intangible assets and the customer value proposition.
                                                                       customized value proposition.
                                                                    2. Attempting to acquire new customers by communicating an
The four key internal processes by which organizations create          attractive value proposition.
value are:
                                                                    3. Working to retain the customers they now have rather than
1. Operations management processes
                                                                       marketing to replace those who defect to competing products
2. Customer management processes
                                                                       or services. Typically, this involves customer loyalty
3. Innovation processes
                                                                       incentives and other programs.
4. Regulatory and social processes
                                                                    4. Trying to get existing customers to buy more products and
                1    Develop supplier relationships                    services in the future through cross-selling or other
                                                                       partnering relationships.
 Operations     2    Produce products and services to sell
                                                                    By focusing on customer management, organizations are
Management
                3    Distribute and deliver customer offerings      attempting to inject into their value propositions:
                                                                    1. A stronger, more vibrant brand image
                4    Manage risks                                   2. A win-win expanding customer relationship
                                                                    3. Increased levels of customer loyalty
In the operations management area, organizations are:
                                                                    Simply put, customer management is all about understanding
1. Attempting to develop deeper relationships with suppliers        customers and the value proposition they will find most
   with the goal of lowering the total cost of procuring all the    appealing. Strategy maps help align intangible assets behind the
   materials needed to products the customer offerings.             organization’s various customer relationship initiatives.
   Generally, this involves simplifying ordering and accounting
   functions to lower administrative costs as far as possible.                      1     Identify opportunities for new products
2. Looking for new ways to actually produce the products and
   services as efficiently as possible through continuous           Innovation      2     Manage product development portfolio
   improvement of processes and enhanced efficiency                 Processes
                                                                                    3     Design and develop new offerings
   initiatives.
3. Attempting to lower the costs of distribution and delivery in                    4     Successfully bring new offerings to market
   any way possible.
                                                                    To sustain or build a competitive advantage, organizations must
4. Trying to get a better idea of the risks involved in doing
                                                                    keep creating and bringing to market new products, services and
   business and then finding effective ways to offset and
                                                                    processes. Innovation requires that organizations:
   minimize those risks to better effect.
                                                                    1. Anticipate the customer’s future needs and develop entirely
By focusing on operations management, organizations are
                                                                       new or next-generation products that will meet those needs.
attempting to inject key features into their value proposition:
1. Competitive prices                                               2. Have a portfolio of research and development projects
2. High levels of quality                                              underway. Ideally, these will run the full spectrum from
3. Speedy delivery of goods purchased                                  projects that create new science and technology through to
4. A comprehensive solution to customer problems                       breakthrough products, next-generation products, derivative
                                                                       products and joint development products.
A well thought out and integrated strategy map provides
strategic focus to these key internal processes. Or, put            3. In addition to researching new products, companies also
differently, a strategy map helps link process improvement             need to be designing the products, doing prototyping and
programs to important organizational outcomes. Strategy maps           testing, running pilot production tests and planning on how
help organizations improve the right things, not just the more         best to ramp-up the manufacture of new products in
obvious things.                                                        acceptable levels of volume. All of these activities need to be
                                                                       completed within an applicable time-frame and budget.
Strategy maps are also useful where organizations have
embarked on quality management programs such as Total               4. At the conclusion of the development cycle, new products
Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma or Activity-based                  and services then need to be made available in commercial
Management (ABM). The strategy map helps embed these                   quantities. In parallel, the marketing and sales units will also
quality management efforts within a strategic framework that will      launch their efforts to sell the new products and services to
provide cause-and-effect accountability and measurement                customers. Customers will also be demanding that suitable
metrics.                                                               levels of quality are achieved.
Strategy Maps - Page 5

By focusing on innovation processes, organizations are
                                                                                         Aligning and Managing the Creation
attempting to inject into their customer value proposition:                 3.
                                                                                           of Value From Intangible Assets
1. Enhanced functionality or high-performance products
2. Being the first to market with new features and benefits
3. Extension of products into new, expanded markets
                                                                        In order for added value to be realized from the three intangible
                                                                        assets, two things need to happen:
                 1     Being environmentally conscious
                                                                        1. Those intangible assets must be adequately aligned with the
Regulatory      2      Providing a safe and healthy workplace              strategy the organization is attempting to execute.
and Social                                                              2. An integrated program must be undertaken under which an
                3     Using non-exploitive employment practices
                                                                           attempt is made to enhance all of the organization’s
                 4     Investing in the broader community                  intangible assets in a coordinated fashion rather than in
                                                                           standalone programs working against each other.
Companies and organizations must continually win the right to           The key to managing intangible assets is to measure their
operate in the communities and countries within which they              degree of “readiness” – which is defined as the extent to which
produce and sell their offerings. They do this by complying with        the intangible asset meets the requirements of the enterprise’s
all the applicable laws and regulations, and by contributing to the     overall strategy.
communities within which they operate. Specifically:
1. Organizations have to use energy wisely, avoid
   contaminating the environment and minimize the impact on             In practical terms, the best way to manage intangible assets
   the environment of all products produced and sold.                   effectively is by developing a strategic readiness report for your
                                                                        organization which:
2. Organizations have to provide a workplace which is safe and          1. Defines all the organization’s intangible assets.
   healthy for its employees, and to take active measures to            2. Aligns each asset to the strategy.
   reduce employee exposure to dangers wherever possible.               3. Measures the degree of readiness for each asset.
3. Companies need to pay workers appropriately and provide              Conceptually, readiness can be described in this way:
   opportunities for employees to gain new skills and
   competencies.
                                                                                                      Cash
4. Corporations need to be sensitive to the needs of the broader
   community and willing to make monetary contributions or
   allow employees to do volunteer work while still being paid.                                           Liquidity
At a minimum, these social and regulatory internal processes are                                Tangible Assets
intended to inject into the customer value proposition:
1. A sense of partnership with the community
2. An awareness of the need to be a good citizen                                                          Readiness
Regulatory and social processes also paves the way for
                                                                                                Intangible Assets
companies to enter new markets in the future. Organizations
with a strong track record in this area are welcomed into new
regions. There is also the flow-on effect in internal morale when
employees take pride in their organization’s contribution to            n   Liquidity is the ease with which a tangible asset can be
improving the communities where they live. This, in turn, makes             converted into cash.
it easier to attract and retain talent.                                 n   Readiness is the extent to which an intangible asset is aligned
                                                                            with the strategy of the business enterprise. The higher the
“There are literally hundreds of processes taking place                     state of readiness, the faster intangible assets start
simultaneously in an organization, each creating value in some              generating cash. Readiness only gets converted into cash
way. The art of strategy is to identify and excel at the critical few       when internal processes generate greater levels of revenue
processes that are the most important to the customer value                 and profit.
proposition. All processes should be managed well, but the few
                                                                        n   Intangible assets will only be converted into tangible
strategic processes must receive special attention and focus
                                                                            outcomes (either revenue growth or cost reductions) when
since these processes create the differentiation of the strategy.
                                                                            they support and align with the strategy.
The selected strategic processes should also be drawn from all
four clusters. Each strategy should identify one or more                n   Organizations cannot (and should not) assign a meaningful
processes within operations management, customer                            monetary value to intangible assets because tangible value
management, innovation, and regulatory and social. In this way,             will only be derived in the context of executing a chosen
the value creation process is balanced between the short and the            strategy successfully.
long term. This ensures that the growth in shareholder value will       In all, the strategic readiness of an intangible asset is a
be sustained over time. The critical few strategic processes are        necessary condition for strategic success, but in and of itself
often organized as strategic themes. Strategic themes allow an          does not guarantee that success will be achieved. The objective,
organization to focus and to provide a structure for                    with intangible assets, is to manage them in such a way that their
accountability. Strategic themes are the building blocks around         degree of readiness is enhanced and increased over time rather
which the execution of strategy occurs.”                                than being lost or dissipated. And to achieve that consistently,
              – Robert Kaplan and David Norton                          you must be able to define, measure and manage the readiness
                                                                        of each intangible asset individually.
Strategy Maps - Page 6

To define, measure and manage the readiness of each type of          Historically, most information capital investments have tended to
intangible asset, different approaches will be required for each:    be evaluated by cost and reliability metrics. Strategy maps
                                                                     makes it feasible to measure on the basis of strategic alignment
                        Human Capital                                – how the information capital contributes to the achievement of
                                                                     the enterprise’s objectives. This is a more viable and interesting
1. Identify your organizations “strategic job families” – the key    approach.
   competencies which will be required in order for the
   organization’s internal processes to function effectively.                            Organizational Capital
2. Build your “competency profiles” – the knowledge, skills and
   values that a successful person will need to fill that position   1. Build organizational leadership – especially the type of
   successfully. Many HR departments already build                      leadership skills which come to the fore during times of great
   competency profiles to use when hiring people for positions          transition and change. The more effective leaders you have,
   or planning development training programs.                           the better. To build leadership depth, some organizations
                                                                        undertake a formal development process where leaders are
3. Assess your organization’s current state of readiness – by
                                                                        given progressively more demanding assignments in a well
   comparing the current capabilities and competencies of
                                                                        structured succession program. Another approach is to
   employees to the requisite strategic job families. This
                                                                        establish a leadership competency model which describes
   assessment should provide an overall evaluation of where
                                                                        the traits leaders should exhibit, and then encourage people
   the organization is strong and where competencies are
                                                                        to seek assignments that will lead to the development of
   lacking.
                                                                        those specific traits.
4. Develop more human capital – by putting in place
                                                                     2. Strengthen your corporate culture – the predominant
   appropriate recruiting, training and career development
                                                                        behaviors and attitudes which people in the organization
   programs. Note this will be focused on the relatively few
                                                                        consider to be appropriate. Different strategies and different
   employees in strategic jobs rather than the needs of
                                                                        value propositions will require different cultures to be in place
   rank-and-file employees.
                                                                        before they can be effective. Most organizations watch their
In the human capital area, there will typically be gaps between         culture closely to ensure it becomes an enabler of growth
the skills and competencies required and your current workforce         rather than an impediment.
capabilities. These gaps effectively set the agenda for your
                                                                     3. Find better ways to align your organization with your
human capital enhancement and development programs. By
                                                                        preferred strategy – because alignment will encourage risk
closing the gaps, you increase your organization’s human
                                                                        taking, innovation and empowerment at the individual
capital.
                                                                        employee level. To increase alignment, leaders can create
                                                                        awareness (by individualizing the overall objectives) and
                      Information Capital                               establish incentives which link objectives and compensation.
1. Accurately describe your current information capital portfolio    4. Encourage greater teamwork and sharing of knowledge – by
   – which will basically have two key components:                      putting into effect a knowledge sharing framework. This will
                                                                        allow what is already known in one part of the organization to
   n   Technology infrastructure – your hardware, software,
                                                                        be applied elsewhere with flow-on benefits and synergies.
       communications networks and management expertise in
       delivering and applying this infrastructure.                  As for human capital and information capital, an organizational
                                                                     capital readiness report can be developed which tracks
   n   Applications which use information technology like
                                                                     actual-versus-target results in these key areas.
       transaction processing, management analytic tools,
       manufacturing planning and supply-chain management            Note that intangibles are the ultimate lead indicators of future
       packages.                                                     organizational performance. These assets will create value only
                                                                     when suitably aligned with the chosen strategy. Human capital is
2. Align your information capital with your business strategy –
                                                                     enhanced only when it is focused on skills which are integral to
   because information capital has value only in the context of
                                                                     the key internal processes. Information capital adds the most
   the strategy being pursued. For example, a company
                                                                     value when it facilitates exceptional performance of the key
   executing a product leadership strategy will benefit from tools
                                                                     strategic internal processes. Organizational capital increases
   that enhance the design and development processes.
                                                                     when harnessed for successful strategy implementation.
   Another company pursuing a customer solutions strategy
                                                                     Measuring these intangible assets is never accomplished using
   would benefit most from information systems that provide
                                                                     subjective metrics. Instead, a Balanced Scorecard approach is
   knowledge about customer preferences and behavior. To
                                                                     required.
   capture the full benefit of investments in information
   technology, the context is very important.                        “Organizations that can mobilize and sustain their intangible
3. Measure your information capital readiness – as the degree        assets for the value-creating internal processes will be their
   of preparedness your organization’s information capital has       industries’ leaders.”
   to support your enterprise’s preferred strategy. In this case,                   – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
   readiness may be measured qualitatively (where managers
   evaluate the readiness on a predetermined scale) or               “Templates, strategic themes, and intangible assets are the
   quantitatively (using formal surveys or technical audits).        building blocks for understanding and executing strategy. The
   Either approach can work well, and it will be a matter of         strategy map provides the missing link between strategy
   determining which type of measure makes the most sense            formulation and strategy execution.”
   for your organization.                                                          – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
Strategy Maps - Page 7

                                                                          4. Identify your key strategic themes – those critical few internal
                  Harmonizing Your Strategy Map
   4.                                                                        processes which will have the greatest impact on the
                    and Your Business Strategy
                                                                             customer value proposition. For each theme, you then
                                                                             establish quantitative measures and targets. You also
                                                                             highlight which internal processes are the drivers for those
A strategy map provides a concise yet comprehensive
                                                                             targets and create some linked objectives, measures and
description of an organization’s strategy. With this clarity,
                                                                             targets.
executives have an enhanced ability to describe, measure,
manage and execute the desired strategy. To get the most from             5. Identify and align your intangible assets – by assessing the
a strategy map, however, it should be combined with a Balanced               level of strategic readiness of each intangible asset. You
Scorecard of measures, performance drivers, targets and                      then set targets on how to increase each asset’s level of
initiatives. This combined strategy map and Balanced Scorecard               readiness individually.
allows the effectiveness of the strategy to be constantly                 6. Specify and fund the strategic initiatives required to execute
monitored and initiatives to be managed with the goal of closing             the strategy – so there is clarity about the level and sourcing
any gaps between target performance and actual results.                      of funding required. The cause-and-effect linkage of the
In short, when used in combination with a Balanced Scorecard, a              strategy map, Balanced Scorecard and action plan should
strategy map helps organizations execute more effectively.                   help visualize the logic involved.
                                                                          These steps mean that passive statements of intent are given
                                                                          substance and relevancy. For example, a strategic objective to
Strategy maps can be used dynamically to create an action plan
                                                                          “Reduce the typical product development cycle” is appealing but
rather than passively as snapshots of corporate intent. To use a
                                                                          also open to individual interpretation. When it is transformed into
strategy map and Balanced Scorecard together effectively in this
                                                                          something like “Reduce the product development cycle from
way is a six step process:
                                                                          three years to nine months”, everyone in the organization
1. Establish and define what the current value gap is for                 realizes this will require some breakthrough, outside-the-box
   shareholders – or in other words, set the financial objectives,        thinking rather than minor enhancements. When the statement
   measures and targets. Determine how much long-term                     is given a time line for achievement (“Reduce the product
   revenue growth and short-term productivity improvements                development cycle from three years to nine months within the
   you will work towards achieving. These should be stretch               next three years”), people get a feel for whether this is a
   targets that will challenge the organization.                          long-term or a short-term project. When this is supplemented by
2. Reconcile your current value proposition – by identifying your         budgets for the action plans needed to realize the objective,
   current target customer segments, clarifying the value                 people start getting serious about it rather than waiting for the
   proposition you now use, selecting your measures and                   next flavor-of-the-month to emerge.
   reconciling your customer objectives to financial growth               The real strength of the linkages between the strategy map,
   goals. You might also decide on a new customer proposition             Balanced Scorecard and action plan is consistency. Instead of a
   that will generate the growth you desire.                              fragmented approach where one part of the organization
3. Establish your projected time line – how quickly you                   pursues a different agenda from another part, everyone uses the
   anticipate your new internal processes and themes can                  same overall strategy. The vision is consistent along with the
   begin to generate the kinds of financial results required. This        strategy for getting there. People can be inspired to action
   should indicate which goals are achievable and which goals             because they will see that it is feasible to get to where the
   may need further adjustment.                                           management want to head.


                                 Strategy Map                                  Balanced Scorecard                        Action Plan

                                                                        Objective     Measure         Target        Initiative    Budget

 Financial                                                              •XXXXXX       •XXXXXX       + XX%          •XXXXXX         $XXX
                            Long-Term Shareholder Value
Perspective                                                                           •XXXXXX       + XX%          •XXXXXX         $XXX
                    Productivity                  Growth
                                                                        •XXXXXX       •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX
 Customer
                                     Customer
Perspective                                                                           •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX


  Internal     Operations     Customer       Product       Regulatory   •XXXXXX       •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX
Perspective   Management     Management    Innovation      and Social                 •XXXXXX                      •XXXXXX
                                                                                                     X months                      $XXX


                                                                        •XXXXXX       •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX
 Learning              Human        Information    Organization
  Growth                                                                              •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX
                       Capital        Capital        Capital
Perspective                                                                           •XXXXXX        XX%           •XXXXXX         $XXX

                                                                                                                     Total         $XXX
Strategy Maps - Page 8


                                  Example: The strategy map for a high tech manufacturing company


                                                          Long-Term Shareholder Value
  Financial
 Perspective                                  Revenue growth                        Productivity

                                                      Customer Value Proposition
  Customer
 Perspective
                            An innovative         Knowledgeable              Reliable              Good value for
                              product                partner                 delivery                 money


                         Innovation                 Customer Management              Operations Management             Citizenship
   Internal          More       Internal  Total solution Customer                   Just-in-time          Flexible      Build the
 Perspective      technology    product   selling sales relationship                 manufact.           manufact.        user
                 partnerships development   approach     manage.                                                       community



   Learning                                                     Human Capital
    Growth
                            Stable talented       Partners with the       Optimal staffing           Diversified
  Perspective
                              workforce              customer                schedule                workforce




                             This strategy map can then be broken down into a number of strategic themes,
                            each of which can be linked to a Balanced Scorecard and action plan in this way:



                Strategic Theme                                   Balanced Scorecard                                         Action Plan


                                              Objective                    Measure             Target                   Initiative         Budget

 Financial        Revenue growth            •Sell new products    •Annual revenue growth      + 35%
Perspective                                                       •New product revenue             40%


                                            •Provide state-of-art •Customer retention          75%             •Build relationship          $135
 Customer         Highly innovative
                                             products             •Market share                60%             •Gain share program
Perspective           products                                                                                                              $500


  Internal                                  • Accelerate dev.     •First mover advantage           80%         •Trade show releases         $250
                 World-class product
Perspective                                   teams work           •Development time           8 months        •Dev. re-engineering
                   development                                                                                                              $600


 Learning                                   •Acquire, enhance      •Key staff retention            80%         •Benefits program           $1,650
                Motivated skilled and        and retain skilled
  Growth                                                           •Recruitment drive          Ongoing         •College promotion           $875
                 stable workforce            people
Perspective
                                                                   •Annual bonus pool          + 20%           •Bonus Sharing              $5,675

                                                                                                                     Total     (000)     $9,685




                                        © Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved Summaries.Com

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Strategy Mapping

  • 1. STRATEGY MAPS Converting Intangible Assets Into Tangible Outcomes ROBERT S. KAPLAN and DAVID P. NORTON ROBERT KAPLAN is the professor of leadership development at Harvard Business School. He is also chairman of the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative. Dr. Kaplan is a business consultant, public speaker, researcher and teacher as well as the author of more than 120 published articles or papers and eleven books. This is the third book Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Norton have written, the previous titles being The Balanced Scorecard and The Strategy-Focused Organization. DAVID NORTON is president and co-founder of the Balanced Scorecard Collaborative, a professional services and business consulting firm. Dr. Norton is a management consultant, researcher and speaker. He previously worked at Renaissance Solutions Inc., a business consulting firm, and Nolan, Norton & Company. The balanced scorecard Web site is at www.bscol.com. This summary is brought to you compliments of SAS. Visit us @ www.sas.com SUMMARIES.COM is a concentrated business information service. Every week, subscribers are e-mailed a concise summary of a different business book. Each summary is about 8 pages long and contains the stripped-down essential ideas from the entire book in a time-saving format. By investing less than one hour per week in these summaries, subscribers gain a working knowledge of the top business titles. Subscriptions are available on a monthly or yearly basis. Further information is available at www.summaries.com.
  • 2. Strategy Maps - Page 1 MAIN IDEA In business, you can’t manage what you can’t measure. Nor can you measure what you can’t describe. This is a problem because for many enterprises, more than 75-percent of their market value is generated by intangible assets which traditional financial and accounting metrics simply don’t capture at all. To address this problem, thousands of companies worldwide have adopted the “Balanced Scorecard” approach which supplements financial measures (which summarize the results of actions taken previously) with nonfinancial measures (of customers, internal processes and learning and growth) to capture the lead indicators of future financial performance. In this way, direct links are formed between the strategy a company chooses and its results. The directness of this link enhances the company’s ability to manage and ultimately execute its desired strategy. In developing a Balanced Scorecard for each organization, a strategy map is also developed which links intangible and tangible assets with objectives in cause-and-effect relationships. Originally, strategy maps were considered a by-product but managers found these maps were very useful in articulating the strategy of the organization and how that strategy links to the objectives. Put differently, strategy maps help managers describe and manage strategy at an operational level because they show: 1. How value gets created from the organization’s internal and learning and growth perspectives. 2. The dynamics of the corporation’s strategy and the processes which are designed to create value. 3. How the company’s intangible assets – human, information and organizational capital – are measured and aligned. Thus, strategy maps may have started out with a minor role but they have now moved to center stage in describing how an organization creates value using both its tangible and intangible assets. They provide a framework by which important management decisions can be made. And as such, every manager needs to understand his or her own organization’s strategy map. To try and manage without a strategy map in place is like working in the dark. At the very least, any organization which understands its own strategy map has a sustainable competitive advantage over those organizations which adopt a much more hit-and-miss approach. “The strategy map has turned out to be as important an innovation as the original Balanced Scorecard itself. Executives find the visual representation of strategy both natural and powerful. As one executive speaker exclaimed at the start of her talk, ‘I love strategy maps’. When we post organization’s strategy maps on the walls of rooms where we hold conferences, delegates use their coffee breaks to study each diagram – even for organizations completely different from their own. Strategy maps provide increased granularity for executives to describe and manage strategy at an operational level of detail.” – Robert Kaplan and David Norton 1. The Basic Template of a Strategy Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 2 - 3 A strategy map provides a visual framework for an organization’s strategy – how it intends to create value. Specifically, a good strategy map will link together: 1. The desired productivity and growth outcomes. 2. The customer value proposition which will be needed. 3. Outstanding performance in internal processes. 4. The capabilities required from intangible assets. In effect, a strategy map captures the organization’s strategy in visual form so that managers can better execute their desired strategy. 2. Managing the Four Themes of the Internal Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 4 - 5 A company or other organization creates value by producing goods and services that can be sold for a profit. At one time, it was suggested managing these processes is the most important duty of management. In today’s competitive environment, however, operational excellence alone is not enough to provide a sustainable competitive edge. A strategy map helps ensure internal processes are well executed and properly aligned with intangible assets and the customer value proposition. 3. Aligning and Managing the Creation of Value From Intangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 5 - 6 In order for added value to be realized from the three intangible assets, two things need to happen: 1. Intangible assets must be aligned with the strategy the organization is attempting to execute. 2. An integrated program must be undertaken under which an attempt is made to enhance all of the organization’s intangible assets in a coordinated fashion rather than in standalone programs. The key to managing intangible assets is to measure their degree of “readiness” – which is defined as the extent to which the intangible asset meets the requirements of the enterprise’s overall strategy. 4. Harmonizing Your Strategy Map and Your Business Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 - 8 A strategy map provides a concise yet comprehensive description of an organization’s strategy. With this clarity, executives have an enhanced ability to describe, measure, manage and execute the desired strategy. To get the most from a strategy map, however, it should be combined with a Balanced Scorecard of measures, performance drivers, targets and initiatives. This combined strategy map and Balanced Scorecard allows the effectiveness of the strategy to be constantly monitored and initiatives to be managed with the goal of closing any gaps between target performance and actual results. In short, when used in combination with a Balanced Scorecard, a strategy map helps organizations execute more effectively.
  • 3. Strategy Maps - Page 2 The Balanced Scorecard approach is that instead of simply 1. The Basic Template of a Strategy Map setting financial targets, objectives must be established and progress measured in each of these four perspectives. That way, your organization will be leveraging its intangible assets in such a A strategy map provides a visual framework for an organization’s way that sustainable value creation will be occurring. strategy – how it intends to create value. Specifically, a good strategy map will link together: Strategy maps are built around the structure of these four 1. The desired productivity and growth outcomes. perspectives. They ensure that the organization’s objectives in 2. The customer value proposition which will be needed. each of these perspectives are consistent and internally aligned. 3. Outstanding performance in internal processes. That alignment, in turn, means the organization is focused and 4. The capabilities required from intangible assets. performing at an optimum level rather than having the actions of one part of the organization impact on the results achieved by In effect, a strategy map captures the organization’s strategy in another part. Strategy maps clarify all cause-and-effect visual form so that managers can better execute their desired relationships so that an effective strategy can be developed and strategy. then optimized over time. They are the interface between strategy and the Balanced Scorecard. Every organization has a strategy for how it plans on creating value for its customers, shareholders and stakeholders. Mission The Targets Numerous approaches have been developed on how best to Vision Organization’s Objectives describe and fine-tune strategy to enhance the creation of value. Values Strategy Map Measures The Balanced Scorecard approach suggests that an organization’s ability to create value in the future will be driven by Conceptually, a strategy map links the high-level goals of the four key factors or perspectives: organization – its mission, values and vision – with meaningful 1. The financial perspective – what financial results will be and actionable steps each employee can take. Strategy maps required to appear to be successful to its shareholders. This also provide balance between the various competing dynamics will be a balance between investing for long-term growth or every organization faces: cutting costs for superior short-term results. n Whether to invest in intangible assets that will generate strong 2. The customer perspective – what specific and differentiated long-term revenue growth or focus on cutting costs more value proposition the organization is providing its customers. aggressively so as to boost short-term results. In practice, there are four major value propositions: n How to differentiate your organization from your competitors • Lowest total cost of ownership by clarifying your value strategy – which usually involves one • Superior products or services of the four different approaches already mentioned: • Offering complete customer solutions 1. Offering the lowest total cost to customers • System lock-in making switching difficult 2. Product leadership – always offering superior products 3. The internal perspective – the various internal processes by 3. Making available complete customer solutions which products and services are prepared and delivered to 4. Locking-in customers so its hard to switch to other vendors customers. These can be clustered into four groups: n Which internal processes to focus on and optimize and which • Operations management – producing and delivering to outsource. • Customer management – relationship building • Innovation – next generation products or services n How to balance the allocation of resources between the • Regulatory and social – complying with the law various internal processes in such a way that different benefits are delivered at various points of time. 4. The learning and growth perspective – how intangible assets (people, technology, culture) are being improved so as to n How to align everything the organization does in such a way enable more added value to be created in the future. that the efforts of one part of the company don’t have a Intangible assets can be divided into three categories: negative impact on the results achieved elsewhere. • Human capital – your people n How to make good management decisions about • Information capital – what you know investments in intangible assets as the drivers of • Organizational capital – how you operate organizational growth in the future. Financial perspective..................... Long-term Shareholder Value ........................Long-term objective Productivity Growth Customer perspective................... Customer ............Customer value proposition Internal perspective...................... Operations Customer Product Regulatory ...............Value-creating processes Management Management Innovation and Social Human Information Organizational ............................Intangible assets Learning & growing perspective..... Capital Capital Capital A simplified strategy map
  • 4. Strategy Maps - Page 3 Basic template for a strategy map Long-Term Shareholder Value Productivity Strategy Growth Strategy Financial Improve Cost Increase Asset Expand Revenue Enhance Customer Perspective Structure Utilization Opportunities Value Customer Value Proposition Product / Service Attributes Relationship Image Customer Perspective Price Quality Availability Selection Functionality Service Partnership Brand Operations Customer Management Innovation Regulatory and Social Management Processes Processes Processes Processes Internal n Supply n Selection n Identify opportunity n Environment Perspective R&D portfolio n Production n Acquisition n n Safety & health n Distribution n Retention n Design/Develop n Employment n Risk management n Growth n Launch n Community Intangible Assets Human Capital Information Capital Organizational Capital n Employee skills n Databases n Culture Learning & Growth Perspective n Employee talents n Information systems n Leadership n Know-how n Networks n Alignment n Information n Infrastructure n Teamwork “An organization’s strategy map and Balanced Scorecard should tell the story of its strategy, a story that differentiates the “The strategy map, by providing a clear and comprehensive organization from competitors.” description of an organization’s strategy, gives executives an – Robert Kaplan and David Norton enhanced ability to execute their strategies. People can’t manage what they can’t measure, and they can’t measure what “In summary, the strategy map template, customized to the they can’t describe. The strategy map solves this problem by organization’s particular strategy, describes how intangible providing a framework for a simple, one-page representation of assets drive performance enhancements to the organization’s the cause-and-effect linkages among the objectives for both the internal processes that have the maximum leverage for outcomes and the drivers of the strategy. The word statements delivering value to customers, shareholders and communities.” of objectives in a strategy map are, in turn, converted into a – Robert Kaplan and David Norton Balanced Scorecard of measures, targets and initiatives. The “The strategy map template also provides a checklist for a strategy map and Balanced Scorecard enable everyone in the strategy’s components and interrelationships. If a strategy is organization to have a common understanding of the strategy. missing an element on the strategy map template, the strategy is The strategy map facilitates performance breakthroughs by likely flawed. For example, we find that organizations frequently allowing them to link their management processes to a clearly have no connection between internal process measures and a defined strategy.” customer value proposition. Such omissions will generally lead – Robert Kaplan and David Norton to disappointing outcomes.” – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
  • 5. Strategy Maps - Page 4 Managing the Four Themes of 1 Customer selection and targeting 2. the Internal Perspective Customer 2 Customer acquisition Management 3 Retention of quality customers A company or other organization creates value by producing goods and services that can be sold for a profit. At one time, it 4 Building the customer relationship was suggested managing these processes is the most important duty of management. In today’s competitive environment, Many organizations are weak in one or more of these areas. In however, operational excellence alone is not enough to provide customer management terms, organizations are: a sustainable competitive edge. A strategy map helps ensure 1. Segmenting the broader market into niches or target internal processes are well executed and properly aligned with segments which can then be offered a specific and intangible assets and the customer value proposition. customized value proposition. 2. Attempting to acquire new customers by communicating an The four key internal processes by which organizations create attractive value proposition. value are: 3. Working to retain the customers they now have rather than 1. Operations management processes marketing to replace those who defect to competing products 2. Customer management processes or services. Typically, this involves customer loyalty 3. Innovation processes incentives and other programs. 4. Regulatory and social processes 4. Trying to get existing customers to buy more products and 1 Develop supplier relationships services in the future through cross-selling or other partnering relationships. Operations 2 Produce products and services to sell By focusing on customer management, organizations are Management 3 Distribute and deliver customer offerings attempting to inject into their value propositions: 1. A stronger, more vibrant brand image 4 Manage risks 2. A win-win expanding customer relationship 3. Increased levels of customer loyalty In the operations management area, organizations are: Simply put, customer management is all about understanding 1. Attempting to develop deeper relationships with suppliers customers and the value proposition they will find most with the goal of lowering the total cost of procuring all the appealing. Strategy maps help align intangible assets behind the materials needed to products the customer offerings. organization’s various customer relationship initiatives. Generally, this involves simplifying ordering and accounting functions to lower administrative costs as far as possible. 1 Identify opportunities for new products 2. Looking for new ways to actually produce the products and services as efficiently as possible through continuous Innovation 2 Manage product development portfolio improvement of processes and enhanced efficiency Processes 3 Design and develop new offerings initiatives. 3. Attempting to lower the costs of distribution and delivery in 4 Successfully bring new offerings to market any way possible. To sustain or build a competitive advantage, organizations must 4. Trying to get a better idea of the risks involved in doing keep creating and bringing to market new products, services and business and then finding effective ways to offset and processes. Innovation requires that organizations: minimize those risks to better effect. 1. Anticipate the customer’s future needs and develop entirely By focusing on operations management, organizations are new or next-generation products that will meet those needs. attempting to inject key features into their value proposition: 1. Competitive prices 2. Have a portfolio of research and development projects 2. High levels of quality underway. Ideally, these will run the full spectrum from 3. Speedy delivery of goods purchased projects that create new science and technology through to 4. A comprehensive solution to customer problems breakthrough products, next-generation products, derivative products and joint development products. A well thought out and integrated strategy map provides strategic focus to these key internal processes. Or, put 3. In addition to researching new products, companies also differently, a strategy map helps link process improvement need to be designing the products, doing prototyping and programs to important organizational outcomes. Strategy maps testing, running pilot production tests and planning on how help organizations improve the right things, not just the more best to ramp-up the manufacture of new products in obvious things. acceptable levels of volume. All of these activities need to be completed within an applicable time-frame and budget. Strategy maps are also useful where organizations have embarked on quality management programs such as Total 4. At the conclusion of the development cycle, new products Quality Management (TQM), Six Sigma or Activity-based and services then need to be made available in commercial Management (ABM). The strategy map helps embed these quantities. In parallel, the marketing and sales units will also quality management efforts within a strategic framework that will launch their efforts to sell the new products and services to provide cause-and-effect accountability and measurement customers. Customers will also be demanding that suitable metrics. levels of quality are achieved.
  • 6. Strategy Maps - Page 5 By focusing on innovation processes, organizations are Aligning and Managing the Creation attempting to inject into their customer value proposition: 3. of Value From Intangible Assets 1. Enhanced functionality or high-performance products 2. Being the first to market with new features and benefits 3. Extension of products into new, expanded markets In order for added value to be realized from the three intangible assets, two things need to happen: 1 Being environmentally conscious 1. Those intangible assets must be adequately aligned with the Regulatory 2 Providing a safe and healthy workplace strategy the organization is attempting to execute. and Social 2. An integrated program must be undertaken under which an 3 Using non-exploitive employment practices attempt is made to enhance all of the organization’s 4 Investing in the broader community intangible assets in a coordinated fashion rather than in standalone programs working against each other. Companies and organizations must continually win the right to The key to managing intangible assets is to measure their operate in the communities and countries within which they degree of “readiness” – which is defined as the extent to which produce and sell their offerings. They do this by complying with the intangible asset meets the requirements of the enterprise’s all the applicable laws and regulations, and by contributing to the overall strategy. communities within which they operate. Specifically: 1. Organizations have to use energy wisely, avoid contaminating the environment and minimize the impact on In practical terms, the best way to manage intangible assets the environment of all products produced and sold. effectively is by developing a strategic readiness report for your organization which: 2. Organizations have to provide a workplace which is safe and 1. Defines all the organization’s intangible assets. healthy for its employees, and to take active measures to 2. Aligns each asset to the strategy. reduce employee exposure to dangers wherever possible. 3. Measures the degree of readiness for each asset. 3. Companies need to pay workers appropriately and provide Conceptually, readiness can be described in this way: opportunities for employees to gain new skills and competencies. Cash 4. Corporations need to be sensitive to the needs of the broader community and willing to make monetary contributions or allow employees to do volunteer work while still being paid. Liquidity At a minimum, these social and regulatory internal processes are Tangible Assets intended to inject into the customer value proposition: 1. A sense of partnership with the community 2. An awareness of the need to be a good citizen Readiness Regulatory and social processes also paves the way for Intangible Assets companies to enter new markets in the future. Organizations with a strong track record in this area are welcomed into new regions. There is also the flow-on effect in internal morale when employees take pride in their organization’s contribution to n Liquidity is the ease with which a tangible asset can be improving the communities where they live. This, in turn, makes converted into cash. it easier to attract and retain talent. n Readiness is the extent to which an intangible asset is aligned with the strategy of the business enterprise. The higher the “There are literally hundreds of processes taking place state of readiness, the faster intangible assets start simultaneously in an organization, each creating value in some generating cash. Readiness only gets converted into cash way. The art of strategy is to identify and excel at the critical few when internal processes generate greater levels of revenue processes that are the most important to the customer value and profit. proposition. All processes should be managed well, but the few n Intangible assets will only be converted into tangible strategic processes must receive special attention and focus outcomes (either revenue growth or cost reductions) when since these processes create the differentiation of the strategy. they support and align with the strategy. The selected strategic processes should also be drawn from all four clusters. Each strategy should identify one or more n Organizations cannot (and should not) assign a meaningful processes within operations management, customer monetary value to intangible assets because tangible value management, innovation, and regulatory and social. In this way, will only be derived in the context of executing a chosen the value creation process is balanced between the short and the strategy successfully. long term. This ensures that the growth in shareholder value will In all, the strategic readiness of an intangible asset is a be sustained over time. The critical few strategic processes are necessary condition for strategic success, but in and of itself often organized as strategic themes. Strategic themes allow an does not guarantee that success will be achieved. The objective, organization to focus and to provide a structure for with intangible assets, is to manage them in such a way that their accountability. Strategic themes are the building blocks around degree of readiness is enhanced and increased over time rather which the execution of strategy occurs.” than being lost or dissipated. And to achieve that consistently, – Robert Kaplan and David Norton you must be able to define, measure and manage the readiness of each intangible asset individually.
  • 7. Strategy Maps - Page 6 To define, measure and manage the readiness of each type of Historically, most information capital investments have tended to intangible asset, different approaches will be required for each: be evaluated by cost and reliability metrics. Strategy maps makes it feasible to measure on the basis of strategic alignment Human Capital – how the information capital contributes to the achievement of the enterprise’s objectives. This is a more viable and interesting 1. Identify your organizations “strategic job families” – the key approach. competencies which will be required in order for the organization’s internal processes to function effectively. Organizational Capital 2. Build your “competency profiles” – the knowledge, skills and values that a successful person will need to fill that position 1. Build organizational leadership – especially the type of successfully. Many HR departments already build leadership skills which come to the fore during times of great competency profiles to use when hiring people for positions transition and change. The more effective leaders you have, or planning development training programs. the better. To build leadership depth, some organizations undertake a formal development process where leaders are 3. Assess your organization’s current state of readiness – by given progressively more demanding assignments in a well comparing the current capabilities and competencies of structured succession program. Another approach is to employees to the requisite strategic job families. This establish a leadership competency model which describes assessment should provide an overall evaluation of where the traits leaders should exhibit, and then encourage people the organization is strong and where competencies are to seek assignments that will lead to the development of lacking. those specific traits. 4. Develop more human capital – by putting in place 2. Strengthen your corporate culture – the predominant appropriate recruiting, training and career development behaviors and attitudes which people in the organization programs. Note this will be focused on the relatively few consider to be appropriate. Different strategies and different employees in strategic jobs rather than the needs of value propositions will require different cultures to be in place rank-and-file employees. before they can be effective. Most organizations watch their In the human capital area, there will typically be gaps between culture closely to ensure it becomes an enabler of growth the skills and competencies required and your current workforce rather than an impediment. capabilities. These gaps effectively set the agenda for your 3. Find better ways to align your organization with your human capital enhancement and development programs. By preferred strategy – because alignment will encourage risk closing the gaps, you increase your organization’s human taking, innovation and empowerment at the individual capital. employee level. To increase alignment, leaders can create awareness (by individualizing the overall objectives) and Information Capital establish incentives which link objectives and compensation. 1. Accurately describe your current information capital portfolio 4. Encourage greater teamwork and sharing of knowledge – by – which will basically have two key components: putting into effect a knowledge sharing framework. This will allow what is already known in one part of the organization to n Technology infrastructure – your hardware, software, be applied elsewhere with flow-on benefits and synergies. communications networks and management expertise in delivering and applying this infrastructure. As for human capital and information capital, an organizational capital readiness report can be developed which tracks n Applications which use information technology like actual-versus-target results in these key areas. transaction processing, management analytic tools, manufacturing planning and supply-chain management Note that intangibles are the ultimate lead indicators of future packages. organizational performance. These assets will create value only when suitably aligned with the chosen strategy. Human capital is 2. Align your information capital with your business strategy – enhanced only when it is focused on skills which are integral to because information capital has value only in the context of the key internal processes. Information capital adds the most the strategy being pursued. For example, a company value when it facilitates exceptional performance of the key executing a product leadership strategy will benefit from tools strategic internal processes. Organizational capital increases that enhance the design and development processes. when harnessed for successful strategy implementation. Another company pursuing a customer solutions strategy Measuring these intangible assets is never accomplished using would benefit most from information systems that provide subjective metrics. Instead, a Balanced Scorecard approach is knowledge about customer preferences and behavior. To required. capture the full benefit of investments in information technology, the context is very important. “Organizations that can mobilize and sustain their intangible 3. Measure your information capital readiness – as the degree assets for the value-creating internal processes will be their of preparedness your organization’s information capital has industries’ leaders.” to support your enterprise’s preferred strategy. In this case, – Robert Kaplan and David Norton readiness may be measured qualitatively (where managers evaluate the readiness on a predetermined scale) or “Templates, strategic themes, and intangible assets are the quantitatively (using formal surveys or technical audits). building blocks for understanding and executing strategy. The Either approach can work well, and it will be a matter of strategy map provides the missing link between strategy determining which type of measure makes the most sense formulation and strategy execution.” for your organization. – Robert Kaplan and David Norton
  • 8. Strategy Maps - Page 7 4. Identify your key strategic themes – those critical few internal Harmonizing Your Strategy Map 4. processes which will have the greatest impact on the and Your Business Strategy customer value proposition. For each theme, you then establish quantitative measures and targets. You also highlight which internal processes are the drivers for those A strategy map provides a concise yet comprehensive targets and create some linked objectives, measures and description of an organization’s strategy. With this clarity, targets. executives have an enhanced ability to describe, measure, manage and execute the desired strategy. To get the most from 5. Identify and align your intangible assets – by assessing the a strategy map, however, it should be combined with a Balanced level of strategic readiness of each intangible asset. You Scorecard of measures, performance drivers, targets and then set targets on how to increase each asset’s level of initiatives. This combined strategy map and Balanced Scorecard readiness individually. allows the effectiveness of the strategy to be constantly 6. Specify and fund the strategic initiatives required to execute monitored and initiatives to be managed with the goal of closing the strategy – so there is clarity about the level and sourcing any gaps between target performance and actual results. of funding required. The cause-and-effect linkage of the In short, when used in combination with a Balanced Scorecard, a strategy map, Balanced Scorecard and action plan should strategy map helps organizations execute more effectively. help visualize the logic involved. These steps mean that passive statements of intent are given substance and relevancy. For example, a strategic objective to Strategy maps can be used dynamically to create an action plan “Reduce the typical product development cycle” is appealing but rather than passively as snapshots of corporate intent. To use a also open to individual interpretation. When it is transformed into strategy map and Balanced Scorecard together effectively in this something like “Reduce the product development cycle from way is a six step process: three years to nine months”, everyone in the organization 1. Establish and define what the current value gap is for realizes this will require some breakthrough, outside-the-box shareholders – or in other words, set the financial objectives, thinking rather than minor enhancements. When the statement measures and targets. Determine how much long-term is given a time line for achievement (“Reduce the product revenue growth and short-term productivity improvements development cycle from three years to nine months within the you will work towards achieving. These should be stretch next three years”), people get a feel for whether this is a targets that will challenge the organization. long-term or a short-term project. When this is supplemented by 2. Reconcile your current value proposition – by identifying your budgets for the action plans needed to realize the objective, current target customer segments, clarifying the value people start getting serious about it rather than waiting for the proposition you now use, selecting your measures and next flavor-of-the-month to emerge. reconciling your customer objectives to financial growth The real strength of the linkages between the strategy map, goals. You might also decide on a new customer proposition Balanced Scorecard and action plan is consistency. Instead of a that will generate the growth you desire. fragmented approach where one part of the organization 3. Establish your projected time line – how quickly you pursues a different agenda from another part, everyone uses the anticipate your new internal processes and themes can same overall strategy. The vision is consistent along with the begin to generate the kinds of financial results required. This strategy for getting there. People can be inspired to action should indicate which goals are achievable and which goals because they will see that it is feasible to get to where the may need further adjustment. management want to head. Strategy Map Balanced Scorecard Action Plan Objective Measure Target Initiative Budget Financial •XXXXXX •XXXXXX + XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Long-Term Shareholder Value Perspective •XXXXXX + XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Productivity Growth •XXXXXX •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Customer Customer Perspective •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Internal Operations Customer Product Regulatory •XXXXXX •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Perspective Management Management Innovation and Social •XXXXXX •XXXXXX X months $XXX •XXXXXX •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Learning Human Information Organization Growth •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Capital Capital Capital Perspective •XXXXXX XX% •XXXXXX $XXX Total $XXX
  • 9. Strategy Maps - Page 8 Example: The strategy map for a high tech manufacturing company Long-Term Shareholder Value Financial Perspective Revenue growth Productivity Customer Value Proposition Customer Perspective An innovative Knowledgeable Reliable Good value for product partner delivery money Innovation Customer Management Operations Management Citizenship Internal More Internal Total solution Customer Just-in-time Flexible Build the Perspective technology product selling sales relationship manufact. manufact. user partnerships development approach manage. community Learning Human Capital Growth Stable talented Partners with the Optimal staffing Diversified Perspective workforce customer schedule workforce This strategy map can then be broken down into a number of strategic themes, each of which can be linked to a Balanced Scorecard and action plan in this way: Strategic Theme Balanced Scorecard Action Plan Objective Measure Target Initiative Budget Financial Revenue growth •Sell new products •Annual revenue growth + 35% Perspective •New product revenue 40% •Provide state-of-art •Customer retention 75% •Build relationship $135 Customer Highly innovative products •Market share 60% •Gain share program Perspective products $500 Internal • Accelerate dev. •First mover advantage 80% •Trade show releases $250 World-class product Perspective teams work •Development time 8 months •Dev. re-engineering development $600 Learning •Acquire, enhance •Key staff retention 80% •Benefits program $1,650 Motivated skilled and and retain skilled Growth •Recruitment drive Ongoing •College promotion $875 stable workforce people Perspective •Annual bonus pool + 20% •Bonus Sharing $5,675 Total (000) $9,685 © Copyright 2004 All Rights Reserved Summaries.Com