Balanced scorecard
The government suggests that a balanced scorecard (BSC) approach to procurement is:
…is a way of developing a procurement (e.g. the requirements and evaluation criteria) so that more straightforward matters such as cost, are balanced against more complex issues such as social and wider economic considerations. |
The approach can be used on any projects, but in October 2016, was adopted by the Cabinet office for projects of more than £10 million. Ref gov.uk.
Government departments are encouraged to adopt the approach where there are clear benefits to doing so, when designing major works, infrastructure and capital investment procurements where the value is more than £10 million. This including works in the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline, published in December 2016.
The approach has already been used by the Olympic Delivery Authority, and for the HS2 programme, as well as on private projects such as the procurement of Heathrow T5.
The government suggests that the ‘model balanced scorecard strategic policy themes’ are:
- Solutions quality.
- Cost.
- Supply chain.
- Employment / skills.
- Environmental sustainability.
- Health and safety.
- Outcome benefits.
All departments with in-scope construction, infrastructure and capital investment procurements must:
- Consider each of the Strategic Themes and Critical Success Factors (CSFs) of the model scorecard in relation to the objectives of the project, determining whether there are associated requirements that should be incorporated into the procurement.
- Identify whether for a specific exercise there are other project or sector-specific themes and CSFs with associated requirements.
- Produce a procurement-specific balanced scorecard that captures and communicates the objectives for the procurement, how these relate to specific project requirements and thus to evaluation of tenders.
- Publish their balanced scorecard with the procurement documentation to form a clear summary of how the procurement will deliver the project vision.
For more information see: Procurement Policy Note – Procuring Growth Balanced Scorecard, 14 October 2016.
The balanced scorecard approach has subsequently been endorsed by:
- Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future.
- Construction sector deal.
- Transforming Infrastructure Performance.
See also: Project scorecard.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Autumn Budget 2017.
- Best value.
- Building our Industrial Strategy: green paper.
- Cities as systems - BRE Solutions for urban environments.
- Construction sector deal.
- Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future.
- Procurement of Heathrow T5.
- Procurement.
- Project scorecard.
- The Public Contracts Regulations.
- Transforming Infrastructure Performance.
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.