Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies [Hardcover]

Paul R. Niven (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471423289 | ISBN-13: 978-0471423287 | Publication Date: June 25, 2003 | Edition: 1

The Balanced Scorecard is the leading methodology for implementing performance management systems and improving efficiency. Focusing directly on the public and not-for-profit sectors, this book helps these organizations overcome the unique challenges they face when implementing a Balanced Scorecard.

• Guides government and nonprofit organizations through the implementation of a performance management system using the Balanced Scorecard.
• Authors bring a wealth of implementation knowledge and experience to this book, leading to hands-on, practical guidance and tips to that ensure success.
• Identifies and tackles head-on the serious obstacles unique to the world of government and nonprofits in implementing the balanced scorecard methodology.
• Includes action plans to walk the reader through specific implementation challenges.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Today’s constituents and donors are better informed than at any time in history. That knowledge leads to a demand of accountability on your part to show results from the financial and human resources with which you’ve been entrusted. To do that you must demonstrate tangible results, and those results are best captured in performance measures."
–from Chapter One

Over the past decade, the Balanced Scorecard has become one of the business world’s leading methodologies for measuring organizational performance and achieving exceptional and sustainable results. From small-scale organizations to multinational conglomerates, the Balanced Scorecard has provided decision-makers with a tool to monitor their organizations from four broad, yet interrelated perspectives, and focus on those measures that are most critical to achieving success.

And it’s not just private-sector firms that are benefiting from the power of the Balanced Scorecard. Public and nonprofit agencies are also discovering how they can reap the benefits of this proven tool by adapting the Scorecard approach to their own goals and situations. Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies shows how you can format the "geography" of the Balanced Scorecard to fit your nonprofit or public sector enterprise, and create a versatile framework for translating big-picture organizational strategies into specific operational objectives and measures ready for implementation.

Providing a solid foundation of Balanced Scorecard knowledge from which to build, and then detailing how the approach can be tailored to the unique requirements and realities of organizations for which profit is not a primary imperative, this no-nonsense guidebook will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to:

• Determine needs and list specific objectives for using the Balanced Scorecard in your organization
• Gain the support of–and provide training for–team members and stakeholders
• Develop a functional and focused Balanced Scorecard, and maximize its effectiveness

Government and nonprofit agencies today face increased pressure to implement effective performance management systems and improve operational efficiency, while simultaneously remaining focused on fulfilling their missions. Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies shows you how to translate today’s leading results-based management methodology to these vital sectors, and effect a truly transformational change in the way your organization measures, manages, and accomplishes its goals.

From the Back Cover

Hands-on guidelines for using the Balanced Scorecard within mission-driven organizations

Today’s insistence on demonstrated organizational performance is not limited to private-sector corporations. Public and nonprofit agencies are also finding that, as financial resources decrease and demand for results increases, they too must institute performance goals along with programs and processes to consistently progress toward those goals.

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies identifies the opportunities–and helps eliminate the obstacles–of bringing the popular and proven Balanced Scorecard approach to public and nonprofit organizations.

This results-focused and practical book provides you with:

• Fundamentals of the Balanced Scorecard concept
• Advice on how to alter the "geography" of the balanced scorecard to fit public and nonprofit agencies
• Techniques for developing strategy maps and Balanced Scorecards throughout your organization
• Tools and templates to link the Balanced Scorecard with key management processes

Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies outlines the very real benefits of the field-proven Balanced Scorecard approach, and details how it can be tailored to the unique requirements and realities of nonprofit and public-sector organizations. Let it show you how to use the Balanced Scorecard to help your organization dramatically improve operational and fiscal effectiveness–and better meet the needs of your stakeholders.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (June 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471423289
• ISBN-13: 978-0471423287
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #607,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PAUL R. NIVEN is an author, management consultant (The Senalosa Group), and noted speaker on the subjects of strategy formation and execution. As both a practitioner and consultant he has developed successful Performance Management systems for clients large and small in a wide variety of organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, public sector, and nonprofit agencies. His most recent book is "Road Maps and Revelations," a business fable designed to help organizations develop simple yet powerful strategic plans. In August 2006 the second edition of Paul's book "Balanced Scorecard Step by Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results" was released. The first edition of this text has been translated in over fifteen languages around the globe. Paul's other books include "Balanced Scorecard Step by Step for Governments and Nonprofits" second edition released by John Wiley & Sons in April 2008, and "Balanced Scorecard Diagnostics" which was released in April, 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, informative and highly implementable advice, August 23, 2003

By 

Andrew G. Benson (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies (Hardcover)

Although the Balanced Scorecard has taken over performance mangagement thinking in business, its linkages and adaptability to public and non-profit organizations has remained extremely challenging. I currently am resposible for leading planning and strategy development for a large social services provider in Canada. Being a strong proponent of Balanced Scorecard theory, I anxiously waited two months for Paul Niven's latest book to hit the shelves in hope that I could adapt the balanced scorecard approach to evaluate our organization's strategy. Long story short >> Balanced Scorecard for Government and Nonprofit Agencies was an incredible investment, and we are now on the way to better measuring and reporting on our organization's progress with the help of this book's advice, tips and proecess design steps.

Paul Niven's writing style provides a clear and informative description of the balanced scorecard approach to performance planning and measurement - and presents easy-to-follow steps for designing and implementing performance systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of nonprofit and public sector programs. I highly recommend this easy-to-read book to anyone interested in understanding how the world's leading approach to performance measurement and management can be successfully incorporated into your organization.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good & Practical Book on Balanced Scorecard, July 6, 2003

By 

Vik Torpunuri, e2e Solutions (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies (Hardcover)

I've read most of the literature on the Balanced Scorecard and the previous books by Norton & Kaplan and Paul Niven himself. Being a Management Consultant of 15 years, I worked with numerous for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and have the usual skepticism towards theory books. This latest book on Balanced Scorecard was easy-to-read with numerous examples from Balanced Scorecard implementations in public sector. I found the step-by-step approach to be practical and quite down-to-earth with numerous take aways for a reader interested in BSC or a performance management practitioner, like myself. The book rightly touches upon the challenges in the scorecard implementations, and offers valuable advice. If you haven't read any previous books on this subject, you can read this book alone for a good idea on what the Balanced Scorecard is all about, and how you go about its implementation.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the 21st century, September 19, 2003

By 

Benjamin Juarez Echenique (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step for Government and Nonprofit Agencies (Hardcover)

Niven is one of the best authors on BSC. If this administration and communications tool has been hailed as one the best new concepts in the business world, in nonprofit and government administration it can have even more impact. It is a great general introduction, but even seasoned experts will find enlightenment and a great very updated bibliography. Works very well as a textbook for nonprofit management with HBS cases.