Performance Management Reality Check

How many of the 14 characteristics of an ideal system are present in the system you are evaluating?

The Women's Resource Center at Southern Oregon University is currently using a performance management system that I believe has present all 14 characteristics. As a small organization doing work that is at many levels personal, our performance management system is one of the most highly held processes of our jobs. Our work at the Women's Resource Center calls for us to express ourselves, voice our opinions and beliefs, stand up and fight for change, and engage in our work emotionally. Due to the level at which we hold our jobs close to our hearts, evaluating our performance and gaining feedback on the work we are doing is extremely important not only for our management but also for the employees.

Our individual goals must be aligned with organizational goals. As the goal of our work is to improve the lives of women and girls, our organization would not function if individual goals were anything other than that exactly. Our work is deeply rooted in the passion and motivation of the employees and volunteers involved regarding this goal. We are working as activists who are seeking and creating change and see no limits to the differences we can make personally in our community, region, and even globally. (Aguinis, 2009)

The system is thorough as each employee is evaluated every school term and all major job responsibilities are included in the evaluation. There are three steps to the system. The first step is a self evaluation form that is filled out by the employee and acts as a tool for self-reflection. The second step is an informal evaluation with the staff manager. The final step is the formal evaluation with the coordinat...

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... bad idea to have a process laid out.

For our system to become more ideal we should develop a rating system that minimizes subjective aspects and does not rely so heavily of human judgement. We should also develop an appeals process that is formal in which employee that feel an error has been made may be able to challenge unjust decisions and correct errors. (Aguinis, 2009)

I believe that the managers and the coordinator should work together to develop the appeals process and then bring the process to the staff to gather opinions, and feedback. I believe that the coordinator knows best how the process would be more efficient and effective but I would also want to hear from the staff to make sure the process makes sense and is accessible from their perspective. This is a process that really needs to work on both ends of the organization for it to be effective.