Performance management

Performance management is important for all organisations as people are their key resource. It is therefore important that there is a strategic approach to reviewing performance at individual, team and organisation level to identify strengths and areas for further development. At an individual level, performance management is most frequently undertaken through a performance appraisal process. This usually involves structured discussions between employees and their line managers to undertake a review of the previous year and the objectives that were set, and then forward looking to the next year. These discussions are closely aligned with learning and development, as the employee and their line manager are prompted to identify any gaps in knowledge or skills that would benefit from an intervention. As well as setting objectives for the next year, the conversations should also focus on longer-term aspirations and identify any actions that could be taken to facilitate this longer-term objective.