Introduction: The End of the Annual Plan

Most strategic plans die quietly.

They're printed, bound, and shelved—then forgotten as reality storms in with its surprises, detours, and disruptions. In a world where change is relentless and complexity is rising, static strategies are no longer just ineffective—they're dangerous. The organizations that survive and thrive today are those that build strategy into their daily rhythm, not just annual retreats.

Balanced Scorecard Evolution is your blueprint for making that shift.

Paul R. Niven doesn’t just update a framework—he reinvents the way strategy lives inside an organization. Drawing on two decades of experience with private companies, nonprofits, and government institutions, he fuses the timeless principles of the Balanced Scorecard with dynamic execution models built for agility and real-world results.

This book will teach you to:

• Create strategy maps that clarify and energize

• Build scorecards that connect goals to action

• Lead strategic reviews that drive learning and adaptation

• Establish an Office of Strategy Management that ensures consistency, accountability, and pace

More importantly, it will help you transform how your people think about strategy—from a top-down directive to a shared, living commitment.

Because strategy isn’t what you plan. It’s what you do. And in the new era of business, doing it well means evolving it constantly.