Implementing Your Strategic Plan

- Think of the Balanced Scorecard as a tool — not just an end to itself.

- Never underestimate the power of passionate leadership from the executive team.

- Liberally steal ideas from other organizations, but make your balanced scorecard reflect your organization’s unique strategy.

- Make sure the measures you choose reflect your strategic goals and objectives and can drive improvement when changes occur.

- It’s OK to start using your balanced scorecard, even if it’s not 100% complete. It’s nature is one of evolution.

- Take time to help the organization understand how to interpret data and statistical change. It will save a lot of explaining.

- Use the Balanced Scorecard as a strategic management system to align the whole organization, top to bottom, with what you are trying to accomplish.

- Use graphs and pictures instead of just numbers whenever you can.

- Learn to live with ambiguity.

- Have fun!

- Last but not least — just do it.

Source: The Balanced Scorecard Strategic Management System: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Implementation; Donna Foth-Collins and Carolyn St. Charles; Issaquah, WA.