Strategy Workshop
Three interactive sessions using the Balanced Scorecard
methodology to define, plan and implement your strategy
A Three-Session Strategy Workshop
Most organisations face a difficult challenge when developing a strategy. The CEO might have a pretty good idea as to where to take a company, but the management team and the workforce are so busy with day-to-day activities, nothing seems to change. The problem is, they are all experts in their field, but they are not experts in strategic planning.
The seven-step strategic process based on the principles of the balanced scorecard
Strategic planning is often viewed as a bit of a black-art or bolt-on activity and not a month-on-month business process. In reality, strategic planning is actually very simple. Once you understand it is a step-by-step business process then all you have to do is learn the steps. It is at this point a break-through action is required. Bringing in a skilled strategy consultant to act as a teacher and facilitator to kick-start the activity with a rock-solid process and a structured workshop can make a real difference.
The Intrafocus three-session workshop covers a seven-step process based on the principles of the Balanced Scorecard methodology. By the end of the process, you will create a strategy scorecard similar to the example at the end of this page.
The Method
Intrafocus consultants have decades of experience in strategy workshop facilitation. We have developed a three session strategy workshop based on the strategic principles found in the Balanced Scorecard Methodology. The methodology, which examines the four focus areas (or Perspectives) of Finance, Customer, Internal Processes and Organisational Capacity builds a ‘balanced’ strategy through the use of facilitated exercises. The three sessions take place during the mornings of three consecutive days.
The Sessions
The morning sessions last between four and six hours each depending on the number of attendees. The facilitator organises ‘homework’ for the afternoon that usually takes around an hour to complete. This time is also used by the facilitator to write a critique of the session output which is presented the next day.
The aim of the three sessions is to create an Integrated Strategy Map, similar to the illustration below. Our consultants will also record all of the material generated in a Strategy document using a pre-defined template. Please download a copy of the template shown on the right-hand side of this page.
Strategy Workshop
A three-session facilitated workshop based on the balanced scorecard methodology
- Type: Workshop, teaching, and exercises
- Location: On-site (your location)
- Participants: 6-24 people
- Duration: Three consecutive mornings
- Price: Per delegate (please enquire)
The workshop is priced per-delegate depending on the number of delegates attending, please use the contact form below to request pricing.
Strategy Document
All of the information is recorded in a template strategy docuement like the one below, together with photographs of any board-work, so nothing is lost.
Strategic Planning
There is often a tendency during a strategic planning workshop to meander away from the task-in-hand. A skilled strategy workshop facilitator can ensure the participants are led back to the central topic while at the same time allowing space to explore and develop new ideas. Whether it is incorporating a brand new digital strategy or simply revising an existing communications strategy, our facilitators will be a hand to help guide participant in the right direction. Our facilitators have decades of experience that can help you develop and structure your ideas to create a plan that will succeed.
Sample Output – Integrated Strategy Map
Click on the strategy map to expand it to full size
Topics Covered
Session 1
- Balanced Scorecard Principles
- Assessment
- Critique of any Material provided
- Exercise 1 – Enablers/Challenges
- Picture of the Future
- Developing a Shared Understanding
- Exercise 2 – Purpose/Vision
- Components of a Value Proposition
- Exercise 3 – List components
- What is a Strategic Theme?
- Exercise 4 – Create Themes and Results
Session 2
- Review Work to Date
- Balanced Scorecard
- Strategic/Business Objectives
- Perspectives
- Strategy Map
- Commentary
- Exercise 1 – Creating Strategic Objectives
- Exercise 2 – Combining the Maps
- Intended Results Overview
- Clarity in language ’Weasel Words’
- Exercise 3 – Write ‘Intended Results’
Session 3
- Review Work to Date
- Revise Strategic Objectives
- Exercise 1 – Agree Final Strategy Map
- Consolidated Strategy Map
- Results to Performance Measures
- Meaningful Performance Measures
- Exercise 2 – Create some Metrics
- What are Strategic Initiatives?
- Exercise 3a – Create initiatives
- Exercise 3b – Prioritise Initiatives
- Review Final Integrated Strategy Map
The Integrated Strategy Map differs from a normal strategy map in that it includes all of the major pieces of information required to implement an integrated strategy. It starts with a vision and associated mission statement (these items are usually available before the workshops start). Using the vision and mission as the baseline for all the following work, guided exercises produce a set of strategic priorities and business objectives. The work on the strategy map does not stop here. Our workshop sessions go on to develop result statements for each business objective and then measures (with descriptions) and finally the initiatives (projects) that drive change.
Thank you for an inspiring, motivational and enriching course. I am taking away with me a lot of ideas how my organisation can improve its strategic work.
Coleen Heemskerk, Policy Advisor on Quality Assurance, Church of Sweden
The three-day course was very helpful for supporting our senior management team to better understand the strategic process and how to coordinate corporate and departmental strategies, initiatives and priorities. The workshop, through its exercises and discussions, enabled us to narrow these down to the priorities that would add the most value to our global business.
Sturle Pedersen, CEO, Gexcon
The Balanced Scorecard three-day workshop with Intrafocus was invaluable for aligning our senior team. We all had our own ideas but the workshop, through a set of exercises and lively discussions, enabled us to narrow these down to the priorities that would add the most value to our business
Bruce Bultitude, Chairman & Managing Director, Power Jacks