Discover common use cases for integrating strategic planning software into an existing business tool ecosystem through data connectors, visualization, and contextual references to documents and policies.
Effective strategy implementation is about helping your team align the strategy with their daily tasks, ensuring seamless integration with other business tools. For a long time, integration mainly focused on data connectors and advanced visualization. In 2025, we’ll see new trends emerge:
- Regulatory changes require integration with new tools, such as GRC software and risk management systems, to update them with relevant performance data.
- The growing emphasis on cybersecurity requires integrating strategic planning with vendor validation and other cybersecurity solutions.
Below, we explore three scenarios for integrating strategy into a business ecosystem:
- Scenario 1. Data Connection. For example, automatically updating actual sales data from QuickBooks or pulling the latest lead numbers from Salesforce.
- Scenario 2. Data Visualization. Using KPI data within comprehensive visualization and business intelligence tools like Tableau.
- Scenario 3. Contextual Connections. Linking a goal or initiative from your strategy platform to a project in tools like Asana or Jira, connecting a goal to a discussion in Slack, or referencing supporting documents stored in SharePoint or Google Drive.
Depending on the integration scenario, you’ll find the necessary tools in BSC Designer.
Scenario 1. Data Connection
This scenario includes, for example:
- Updating customer-related or sales KPIs with data from HubSpot, Salesforce, Zendesk, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Using accounting data from QuickBooks to update the current value of financial KPIs
- Updating KPIs based on status changes in project management tools like Asana, JIRA, or Monday.com
- Connecting to HR systems to update talent management metrics, or retrieve data from performance appraisal KPIs, and pass them to HR tools
- Sourcing data from databases like Snowflake, Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SAP Hana
The best integration method depends on the specific use case. One of the simplest yet most effective methods is integration via Google Sheets Add-ons, which offer an extensive library of ready-to-use plugins. Another popular option is connecting through Zapier or MS Power Automate.
Below, we’ve added a chart to help you decide on the best way to connect your data.
Do you need to import data regularly?
Begin by determining whether data migration is a one-time task or a regular process.
For instance, if you’re transitioning from another strategy execution software or spreadsheets to BSC Designer, perform a one-time Excel import using the importing function to seamlessly switch to BSC Designer.
Is there online access to the platform’s database?
One of the methods to integrate with an external tool is to access its database directly, provided it allows web access for automation.
We currently support:
- MySQL,
- PostgreSQL,
- MS SQL Server, and
- SAP Hana.
If your database isn’t listed but has online access, we can develop a connector. Contact us for custom development, and provide test access to sample data.
For details on setting up a database connection, refer to this section of the tutorial.
Does the platform have an API?
Commercial platforms typically offer API access instead of direct database access. While API usage is technical, platforms often provide ready-to-use connectors. If there’s a Google Sheets add-on, data integration becomes easier:
- Use the add-on to fetch data to a Google Sheet, then
- Automatically upload it to your scorecard using BSC Designer Sync plugin.
A guide on Google Sheets add-on automation is available in this section.
More options to connect via API:
- Zapier. If the platform has a Zapier plugin, utilize BSC Designer’s plugin to connect the two platforms.
- MS Power Platform. Helps to automate tasks, including data exchange tasks via APIs.
For API-based automation on platforms without public connectors, contact us for custom connector development.
Is data on the platform available in CSV/Excel formats?
Most platforms support data export in CSV/Excel formats. While Excel automation isn’t as seamless as APIs or databases, it’s easily implemented in BSC Designer.
On the first import, associate data columns with KPI properties, save the template, and reuse it for subsequent imports.
Input data manually via Data Input users
In cases where automated data import is challenging due to unstructured data, manual input becomes the solution. This is ideal when:
- The data, although available in Excel, has an unsuitable structure for KPIs.
- The data structure changes over time.
- The data might not be available online.
- The data isn’t updated frequently enough to justify the additional development costs associated with creating connectors.
BSC Designer subscriptions provide the option to purchase data input users, who are capable of updating KPIs with fresh data. Administrators can activate an approval workflow for specific data input users if necessary.
Scenario 2. Data Visualization
The performance measurement aspect of strategy implementation focuses on data. BSC Designer offers a dashboard feature that provides the necessary visualization tools for addressing strategy-related challenges.
If you need to combine strategy data with other performance metrics using tools like Tableau or PowerBI, you can export KPI data from BSC Designer in CSV or Excel format.
The export function is available for all scorecards via the Tools menu.
Scenario 3. Contextual Connections
When working on strategy, we build a detailed picture of the business context we operate in. This context is often crucial for decision-making.
On a practical level, this means:
- We may need to refer to a goal, KPI, or initiative from the strategy scorecard while discussing something on Slack or during a meeting in MS Teams or Zoom.
- We might need to reference a specific dashboard or strategy map when creating a presentation in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides.
- On the other hand, within our strategy scorecard, we may need to upload or link to important documents stored in SharePoint or Google Drive.
These are examples of contextual connections between strategy and other business tools.
In BSC Designer:
- You can use the link button (for KPIs, goals, initiatives, strategy maps, and dashboards) to generate a direct link to the item.
- You can also link to or upload relevant documents to goals, KPIs, or initiatives.
Using Generative AI for Data Input
In some cases, generative AI can assist with the input of unstructured data. A general approach in this scenario includes:
- Explaining the data format used in BSC Designer to the AI
- Processing unstructured data and presenting the output in an acceptable format
Learn more about using AI.
BSC Designer is strategy execution software that enhances strategy formulation and execution through KPIs, strategy maps, and dashboards. Our proprietary strategy implementation system guides companies in practical application of strategic planning.