Are we there yet? Using strategy maps in higher education to drive performance

This paper describes the experience at the University of Newcastle in developing a strategy map to facilitate communication of the strategic plan within the organisation and to focus attention on areas of high performance and areas most in need of improvement. The approach is based on the Balanced Scorecard performance management system and provides a visual tool to facilitate the measurement, monitoring and reporting of the University’s progress towards meeting its strategic goals. The strategy map forms part of an ongoing process of reviewing and refining the Strategic Plan to determine whether its direction, targets and measures remain appropriate in light of any new opportunities, threats and changes in the economic, regulatory or competitive environment in higher education.