What does a comprehensive balanced scorecard measure?

A comprehensive balanced scorecard is designed to measure multiple aspects of organizational performance. It goes beyond traditional financial metrics to provide a more holistic view of an organization's success. This includes not only financial performance indicators but also non-financial aspects such as customer satisfaction, internal processes, and learning and growth opportunities. By integrating these various dimensions, the balanced scorecard enables organizations to assess their performance more comprehensively and align daily operations to long-term strategic goals.

In contrast, focusing solely on financial performance indicators limits the assessment to just one aspect of business outcomes, which may overlook critical areas influencing overall success. Operational effectiveness and customer feedback are important, but they represent only two of the four critical perspectives in a balanced scorecard. Evaluating departmental goals in isolation would not provide the necessary insight into how each part contributes to the whole organizational performance, thereby missing the interconnectedness that the balanced scorecard aims to highlight.