Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • 2008
  • Book

Execution Premium: Linking Strategy to Operations for Competitive Advantage

By: Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton
  • Format:Print
ShareBar

Abstract

In a world of stiffening competition, business strategy is more crucial than ever. Yet most organizations struggle in this area--not with formulating strategy but with executing it, or putting their strategy into action. Owing to execution failures, companies realize just a fraction of the financial performance promised in their strategic plans. It doesn't have to be that way, maintain Robert Kaplan and David Norton in The Execution Premium. Building on their breakthrough works on strategy-focused organizations, the authors describe a multistage system that enables you to gain measurable benefits from your carefully formulated business strategy. This book shows you how to: Develop an effective strategy--with tools such as SWOT analysis, vision formulation, and strategic change agendas. Plan execution of the strategy--through portfolios of strategic initiatives linked to strategy maps and Balanced Scorecards. Put your strategy into action--by integrating operational tools such as process dashboards, rolling forecasts, and activity-based costing. Test and update your strategy--using carefully designed management meetings to review operational and strategic data. Drawing on extensive research and detailed case studies from a broad array of industries, The Execution Premium presents a systematic and proven framework for achieving the financial results promised by your strategy.

Keywords

Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Operations; Performance; Strategic Planning; Business Strategy

Citation

Kaplan, Robert S., and David P. Norton. Execution Premium: Linking Strategy to Operations for Competitive Advantage. Harvard Business Press, 2008.
  • Find it at Harvard
  • Purchase

About The Author

Robert S. Kaplan

Accounting and Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • May 2023
    • NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery

    Decarbonizing Health Care: Engaging Leaders in Change

    By: Vivian S. Lee, Kathy Gerwig, Emily Hough, Kedar Mate, Robert Biggio and Robert S. Kaplan
    • April 3, 2023
    • Harvard Business Review Digital Articles

    Getting a Clearer View of Your Company’s Carbon Footprint

    By: Robert S. Kaplan, Karthik Ramanna and Stefan Reichelstein
    • 2023
    • BMC Health Services Research

    Comparison of COVID-19 Hospitalization Costs across Care Pathways: A Patient-level Time-driven Activity-based Costing Analysis in a Brazilian Hospital

    By: Ricardo Bertoglio Cardoso, Miriam Allein Zago Marcolino, Milena Soriano Marcolino, Camila Felix Fortis, Leila Beltrami Moreira, Ana Paula Coutinho, Nadine Oliveira Clausell, Junaid Nabi, Robert S. Kaplan, Ana Paula Beck da Silva Etges and Carisi Anne Polanczyk
More from the Authors
  • Decarbonizing Health Care: Engaging Leaders in Change By: Vivian S. Lee, Kathy Gerwig, Emily Hough, Kedar Mate, Robert Biggio and Robert S. Kaplan
  • Getting a Clearer View of Your Company’s Carbon Footprint By: Robert S. Kaplan, Karthik Ramanna and Stefan Reichelstein
  • Comparison of COVID-19 Hospitalization Costs across Care Pathways: A Patient-level Time-driven Activity-based Costing Analysis in a Brazilian Hospital By: Ricardo Bertoglio Cardoso, Miriam Allein Zago Marcolino, Milena Soriano Marcolino, Camila Felix Fortis, Leila Beltrami Moreira, Ana Paula Coutinho, Nadine Oliveira Clausell, Junaid Nabi, Robert S. Kaplan, Ana Paula Beck da Silva Etges and Carisi Anne Polanczyk
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College