[Part 1] ManageBetter's Comprehensive Guide to Performance Reviews: Setting the Stage
As November approaches, the performance review season brings a mix of emotions for managers and HR professionals. But what if this year could be different?
Welcome to our 6-part series designed to transform your performance review process into a tool for team growth and alignment. We'll help you minimize pain points and maximize effectiveness, ensuring your team meets objectives and boosts morale.
We'll cover topics such as:
Setting clear expectations and aligning goals
Implementing effective feedback systems
Preparing managers and employees for productive reviews
Using data to inform fair and objective evaluations
We'll also show how your ManageBetter subscription, your AI-powered performance management system, supports each step.
Establishing Clear Performance Expectations
Teams thrive on clarity and purpose. Here’s how to set the stage:
For Both Managers and HR
Define role responsibilities and performance metrics for each position
Ensure expectations align with team and organizational goals
Document and share expectations in an accessible format
Additional HR Responsibilities
Develop job descriptions and performance criteria across the organization
Create templates and guidelines for managers to use when setting expectations
Provide training on setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals
Best Practice
Conduct expectation-setting meetings at the start of each performance cycle or when an employee takes on a new role.
Challenge
Ensuring consistency in expectations across teams and departments.
ManageBetter in Action
Use ManageBetter to set performance expectations. Our goal feature helps create, assign, and track objectives. We add this information to reviews and craft feedback, improving relevance. Need ideas? Our AI suggests goals based on job titles.
Aligning Individual Goals with Organizational Objectives
The OKR framework creates a line from individual contributions to company success. A study by Betterworks found that 69% of companies using OKRs reported improved alignment.
For Managers
Familiarize yourself with the organization's OKRs
Work with team members to create OKRs that support team and company objectives
Review and adjust OKRs as needed
For HR
Implement an OKR framework across the organization
Provide training and resources on OKR setting and tracking
Ensure alignment between departmental and company OKRs
Best Practice
Use a cascading approach to OKRs, starting from company objectives down to individual goals.
Challenge
Maintaining OKR flexibility while ensuring alignment with changing business priorities.
ManageBetter in Action
Use ManageBetter's OKR alignment feature to check if employees' OKRs sync with yours. We'll identify discrepancies and use AI to suggest adjustments and realignment.
Implementing Continuous Feedback Systems
Annual reviews are out; continuous feedback is in. Check-ins keep performance on track and prevent surprises. Gallup found that employees receiving daily feedback are 3 times more likely to be engaged than those receiving annual feedback. And Deloitte reports that 83% of companies using continuous performance management see higher employee engagement compared to those with annual reviews.
For Both Managers and HR
Implement a system for check-ins
Encourage feedback on performance or behaviors
Foster dialogue during 1:1s
Additional HR Responsibilities
Develop guidelines for feedback conversations
Implement tools for feedback and performance tracking
Monitor adoption and effectiveness of feedback practices
Best Practice
Use formal and informal feedback channels to create a culture of communication.
Challenge
Ensuring that feedback is given and documented across all levels of the organization.
ManageBetter in Action
Every Friday, reflect on employee performance using ManageBetter. Add feedback, notes, and goals, then review insights to prepare for 1:1s. Drowning in paperwork? Our "no writing" feedback system makes it 250% faster to record feedback.
Conclusion
Performance management hinges on three elements:
Clear expectations
Aligned goals
Feedback
By implementing these, you create a foundation for growth, engagement, and success across your organization. Remember, the goal is to foster communication and alignment, not just assessments.
Next in our series: How documentation and data drive evaluations.