Developed in the private sector, the Balanced Scorecard process is used increasingly in higher education to drive processes of institutional effectiveness. The Balanced Scorecard is an effective way to collect, analyze, and use organizational information, taking into account four factors in a successful organization:

1. stakeholders;
2. internal processes;
3. financials;
4. learning and growth.

Successful implementation of this process leads to improved effectiveness in the following ways:

• Units are able to articulate and measure priorities of their departments or offices directly tied to department mission, strategic plan, and mission of the College;
• Institutional learning, system and individual, is improved;
• Information is shared and a culture of inclusion is created;
• Evidence of accountability and responsibility is provided;
• Evidence-based and, consequently, better-informed decision making is achieved.

The purpose of initiating this process at our College is to improve institutional effectiveness by:

• Responding to mandates and concerns of the state and other external stakeholders, including our accreditation organizations’ concerns regarding accountability and use of resources;
• Focusing more closely on core values and priorities to develop a systematic way of monitoring departmental unit and institutional effectiveness;
• Encouraging synergy through shared information and problem solving.

Balanced Scorecard Links

• Balanced Scorecard Institute
• Balanced Scorecard at the University of Virginia Library
• The University of Akron Balanced Scorecard Initiative
• University of California, San Diego Balanced Scorecard