Scorecards serve as a tool for aligning IT strategy with client objectives, transforming raw data from Insights into strategic, actionable, and understandable assessments. This article explores how to get started with Scorecards, utilize them, and present them to clients to facilitate clear, informed discussions about their IT environment.

Scorecards are designed to provide a structured evaluation of a client's IT environment, highlighting key areas of concern and opportunities for improvement. By converting insights into scorecard items, you can present complex data in a visually appealing and easily digestible format. This helps communicate the current state of IT but also proposes future IT strategies and actions.

By using scorecards, you can align yourselves with your clients on the key areas of concern in their IT environment. Prior to discussing proposed solutions, scorecards provide the client with a picture of where they currently stand and what risks/pitfalls they face.

Key components of a Scorecard

Scorecards are initially configured with four items based on key insights (if applicable) when you open them for the first time. The following four insights link to the applicable initial Scorecard items:

1. Scorecard Items:
   1. These are specific metrics or categories within a Scorecard that address distinct areas of a client's IT infrastructure. Each item is linked to underlying data from Insights, ensuring that each point is backed by real-time, actionable data.
2. Insight Integration:
   1. Insights surface critical data about potential issues or inefficiencies in the IT environment. Integrating the above insights with Scorecard items allows for a targeted approach to addressing these issues, making it clear to clients where problems lie and what actions are needed.

Utilization of Scorecards

Who benefits from the Scorecard?

Scorecards are essential for anyone who meets with clients and ensures their goals are met, keeps a clean IT environment, and adheres to MSP standards. The following are personas that would benefit from Scorecards.

• vCIOs (Virtual Chief Information Officers): Responsible for overseeing asset cycles, warranty renewals, and conducting quarterly business reviews.
• Account Managers: Utilize Scorecards to streamline client meetings, enhance engagement, and save time by presenting organized and prioritized information.

When and how to use Scorecards

• Client Meetings: Before discussing solutions, use Scorecards to provide clients with a clear snapshot of their IT health. This helps set the stage for proposing solutions by outlining the risks and areas requiring attention.
• Strategic Planning: In preparation for meetings, account managers can pull up the client’s dashboard, identify significant deficiencies, and create Scorecards with relevant items that clarify the issues for the client.

Steps to Creating a Scorecard

1. Accessing the Scorecard Feature:
   1. Navigate to a specific client and select the Scorecard menu.
2. Configuring Scorecard Items:
   1. Initially, Scorecards may come pre-configured with items based on the most critical insights. You can customize these items based on the specific needs and insights relevant to the client.
3. Sharing Scorecards:
   1. Once a Scorecard is complete, it can be downloaded as a PDF and shared with the client before meetings. This ensures that clients are well-prepared and can fully engage in discussions about their IT strategy.

Managing and Updating Scorecards

Viewing and Updating Past Scorecards:

• Past Scorecards are accessible via a date-stamped drop-down box. Note that editing past Scorecards might cause discrepancies with previously presented versions, so updates should be carefully managed.

Continuous Improvement:

• Scorecards should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect new data and insights, ensuring they always provide the most current and relevant information.

When viewing past Scorecards initially configured with four items based on key insights, those insights will not automatically update. It is possible, however, to update the automated Scorecard items whenever necessary. See How to update automatically generated scorecard items for information.

1. Click the Open drop-down box and select the relevant date-stamped Scorecard.
   The Open drop-down defaults to the currently loaded Scorecard.

   

2. The loaded scorecard becomes the current view.

Additional articles to read

• How to develop a Scorecard

• Creating new Scorecards

• Best practices when using Scorecards

• Scorecard Versions & History