Performance Management is a process by which managers and employees work together to plan, monitor and review an employees work objectives and overall contribution to the organisation. The Performance Management Cycle follows the process below:
- Plan
- Monitor
- Review
- Performance Assessment Feedback
Plan
The planning phase involves managers and employees during which:
- Both parties to review the job description to see if it reflects the work that the employee is currently doing. Where the employee has taken on new responsibilities or the job has changed significantly, the job description should be updated
- Adjustments will be made to a performance plan in conjunction with job description and the organisations goals, objectives and strategic plan
- The performance plan will be developed to outline the tasks or targets to be completed, expected results and measures or standards that will be used to evaluate performance
- Key performance objectives will be identified for the year that are critical to the employee being successful in the post
- Training objectives and career development opportunities that will help the employee to develop in their role will be agreed
Both the employee and manager need to sign agree and off the proposed performance plan.
Monitor
If a performance management system is going to work the progress of the employee needs to be monitored, performance measured and support offered through effective coaching. This is not about micro managing employees but focus on results and the behaviours of an employee. Regular meetings should take place to:
- Assess progress against performance targets
- Identify problems that may prevent the employee from achieving performance objectives and support them to overcome any problems
- Discuss achievements and development areas relative to the targets set
- Record changes that may be required to the performance plan either as a result of a shift in organisation priorities or if the employee is required to take on new responsibilities
- Provide extra support if needed e.g. training, job shadowing, 1:1 support plans etc.
Continuous feedback and coaching is essential.
Review
A performance assessment meeting or appraisal is an opportunity to review, summarise and highlight the employees performance. During this meeting, employees and managers will:
- Summarise the work accomplished relative to the targets that were set including discussing and recording achievements and areas where the employee fell short
- Agree training and/or development areas need to be agreed and recorded
The employee and the manager should agree then sign off the form