Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The purpose of this opening chapter is to provide you with an overview of Performance Measurement and the Balanced Scorecard system..." (more)
Key Phrases: scorecard champion, customer loyalty rating, operationally excellent company, Nova Scotia Power, New York, Harvard Business Review (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Paul Niven's latest book Balanced Scorecard Step by Step: Maximizing Performance and Maintaining Results was written to fill the considerable void that exists between Balanced Scorecard theory and application" (BetterManagement.com, March 2002)

Product Description

Niven shares his extensive experience in developing Balanced Scorecards for Fortune 1000, public sector, and not-for-profit organizations. He provides insight on and practical solutions for developing performance objectives and measures that faithfully translate strategy.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471078727
• ISBN-13: 978-0471078722
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #571,973 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should Charge $250,000 Or More For This Book..., June 18, 2003

By	Robert G. Barnwell "Robert G. Barnwell" (New York City) - See all my reviews

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This book gives you the power to say "Thank you, but no thank you" to the legions of high-priced consultants (like myself) who offer to help design, establish and implement your company's balanced scorecard.

While Robert Kaplan did write the introduction, he and Norton must be very dissappointed that they didn't write this book -- I'm certainly sorry that I didn't write it. Author Paul R. Niven provides all the tools, methodologies and steps necessary to create and execute your own balanced scorecard. He's held nothing back. It's all here. Whether you lead a local non-profit or are the CEO of a Fortune Global 500 corporation (like my clients), Niven has provided detailed step-by-step instructions for both of the key phases of the balanced scorecard project:

I. Planning Stage:
Step One: Develop objectives
Step Two: Determine appropriate organizational unit(s).
Step Three: Gain executive sponsorship.
Step Four: Build your balanced scorecard team.

Step Five: Formulate your project plan.
Step Six: Develop a communication plan.

II. Development Stage:
Step One: Gather and distribute background material.
Step Two: Develop mission, values, vision, and strategy.
Step Three: Conduct extensive interviews.
Step Four: Develop objectives and measures.
Step Five: Develop cause-and-effet linkages.
Step Six: Establish targest for your measures.
Step Seven: Develop the implementation plan.

This book is fantastic. In fact, I'm thinking about placing a bulk order for the book to give to all my clients. On second thought, why give away all the "secrets?" Seriously, this is one of the best business and management books I've read this year. Overall grade: AAA+++/Highly Recommended.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maximizing Scorecard Results, March 28, 2002

By A Customer

As a recently retired Bank Executive, I have to say that I wish this book had been published when I was still working, as it would have helped me and others at the Bank in developing a better understanding on how to obtain ALL of the benefits of the scorecard process. It's clear to me after reading Niven's book that we really didn't do a thorough job of implementing the Scorecard process, yet interestingly enough, we managed to enjoy many benefits which otherwise would have alluded us! We didn't use any outside expertise to assist us with installing the system and I think, in retrospect, this may have been a mistake. Niven's book is very well written and I was impressed with the many sources he referenced. The book can be of considerable value to those contemplating the implementation of the Scorecard as well as those who are using it now but are unsure of how well they've done in implementing amd maintaining it. Niven's approach to explaining all aspects of the process makes for easy reading to the layman. A must read for all executives!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!, June 4, 2002

By	Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract.com" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In Balanced Scorecard Step-by-Step, Paul R. Niven expands upon the balanced scorecard methodology he originally developed with Dave Norton 10 years earlier. Balanced Scorecard is designed to focus an entire organization on implementing and improving its strategy. In this book, Niven puts the Balanced Scorecard approach into practice, focusing on the details of implementation and the role of leadership in establishing and maintaining the program. We from getAbstract recommend this book for any executive looking for nuts-and-bolts knowledge about a performance measurement system that grew into a comprehensive management philosophy.