UAE government officials attend seminar on Balanced Scorecard by Harvard Professor Robert Kaplan

Organized by the Dubai Institute for Human Resources Development, the opening session of the two-day seminar was attended by leading UAE government officials and ministry undersecretaries.

Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Chairman and Chief Executive - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority; Engineer Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA); Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director of Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department, and Hamad Mubarak Buamim, Director General of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) were among those present.

Nabil Alyousef, Chairman of DIHRD said,

"The conference contributes to our goal of facilitating government departments to achieve organizational excellence, in line with the directives of the Dubai Government Excellence Programme. Launched in 1998 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the programme has changed the entire landscape of government performance, increased efficiency, productivity and creativity."

Alyousef added, "The conference helps introduce a tool that renders institutional strategies more effective in achieving the objectives of public and private organizations."

Mohammed Jasim, CEO of DIHRD said that "Learning and growth, which are crucial elements of the Balanced Scorecard system, reflect the role of the Dubai Institute for Human Resources Development in its aim to develop the knowledge, skill and experience of employees in both the government and the private sector."

The highly acclaimed Balanced Scorecard is a strategic approach and performance management system that enables organizations to implement its vision and mission from the financial, customer, operational and innovation and learning perspective.

Focusing on the role of Balance Scorecard in developing the government sector, Professor Kaplan stressed the importance of setting a clear mission for the organization, and obtaining effective support for its operations. He pointed out that the efficiency of a governmental organization is not reflected in its profitability but on the quality of service, and the benefits it provides to its citizens.

As the author of the Balanced Scorecard concept, Kaplan spoke about making business strategy measurable and connecting it to operational enforcement on all company levels. With the use of specific case studies, he highlighted excellence in strategy focused organizations.

Ranked among the Top 25 Business Thinkers by the Financial Times, Kaplan has contributed significantly to the art and science of business strategy. He has helped business leaders clarify their corporate vision and align people, business units, and resources with a unified strategy.

During the conference, Nabil Alyousef presented Professor Kaplan with a memento, commemorating his visit to Dubai. He also awarded tokens of appreciation to DIHRD partners and sponsors for their consistent support during the past year. Among those acknowledged were Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Airlines, Department of Health and Medical Services and TECOM.