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
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Recognition, influence and growth
SocEnv identifies three strategic pillars in new strategy to 2045.
Discover the future of roofing, cladding and insulation.
New guidance for professional practice, cultural change and regulation in social housing.
The heritage of nuclear and conventional power stations.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.

















