One of the most difficult things to do is to take vision and implement strategy. The balanced scorecard method is one of the best ways to track the progress of strategy over time.
If you’ve never heard of this method, rest easy, you are probably already using a variation of it in some way. A lot of ministries set annual goals based on a SWOT analysis and some SMART formula. A scorecard takes that type of planning to the next level. Your scorecard does not determine VISION – it is simply the implementer of it.
All scorecards being by asking the following four questions
- What is the Dream of the organization?
- How does each department fit into that dream?
- How do we get from here to that end?
- How do we move from managing to leading?
Then in light of those answers one begins the first step of getting there.
ASSESS –
Step 1 is to asses every area of an organization in light of its vision. This assessment will provide you a holistic organizational wide blueprint that you can build on. You might ask, well, how can I asses my organization. Start with an excel spreadsheet like the following. Here are some areas and ideas of how/what to assess.
Systems
- Strategic Planning
- Sunday Experience
- Discipleship
- Growth
- marketing
- evangelism
- outreach
- Financial
- People
- Employees
- Volunteers
- Training
- Leadership
- Discipleship
- Kids
- Youth
- Adult
- Communication
Capacity
- People
- employees
- leaders
- volunteers
- Facilities
- equipment
- technology
- Location
- Education / Training
- Experience
- Culture
Finances
- income
- budget
- fund raisers
- donations
- corporate
- grants
- other
- expenses
- personnel
- programs
- etc
Customer Experience
- Newcomers
- Members / Attenders
- Volunteers
- Leaders
Forecast / Plan
Step 2 – Now based on where you are, develop a forecast of where you want to get to this year by establishing “big goals” with a “measurable” for each area. This is where boots on the ground planning takes place. It is important to remember a few things
- Most organizations can successfully have two to three major goals per year. Each major goal generally requires a multiple of 10-20 subset steps.
- The larger the organization, the more complex and involved it is to accomplish one major goal.
- Often, the process of planning helps you uncover things you didn’t know were there. In some cases, as you begin to plan – a newer more pressing goal will emerge.
Calendar / Reassess
Step 3 – The next step is to take your “big goals” and calendar a month at a time. As your schedule fills in – other items fill in the time. Each month you can reassess where you are and set the next month’s priorities. Over time you will find yourself progressing to where you want to be.
It takes incredible effort to see your plan through to completion. The tyranny of the urgent tends to creep in as you go about your day to day routine. Yet, as you stay focused, you will find that accomplishing these big goals have a way of clearing out the issues that cause the small issues to arise.