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Saving Valuable Time For HR Departments On Performance Management

With the unremitting pressures on the workloads of HR Departments there are very strong reasons for moving from a paper based Performance Management procedure to an automated system as soon as possible.

These web-based systems, such as iK Developments' DINAMIKS® LITE, are simple to implement, as there is no software to install, and they are inexpensive to purchase. The benefits experienced by the HR Department include:

Reducing The Time Spent By HR Staff On Supporting The Performance Appraisal Process - Inbuilt within a good web-based appraisal system will be automated best-practice procedures that advise Managers and staff what appraisal tasks need to be undertaken and when. E-Mail reminders warn of upcoming target dates. Automated reports allow the regular production of key data such as outstanding appraisals and spread of ratings by Department. With up to date and accurate performance data underpinning rating decisions and performance feedback there will be less likelihood of grievances, appeals and Industrial Tribunal cases arising.

Improve The Identification Of Training Needs – The system allows for the creation of Personal Development Plans for each member of staff. These Plans contain the Development Objectives and agreed training solutions for each person. Setting up regular automated reports allows for the simple analysis of the training needs for the whole organisation. No more pouring through completed paper appraisal forms to extract this data!

Increase Participation Of Managers And Staff In The PA Process – Staff are led by the system to set up their own Personal Objectives aligned to the organisation’s Business Goals, and record when targets have been met. Managers are invited to sign off their agreement at each stage and receive advanced notification when staff targets are due. This encourages ownership of the Performance Appraisal process.

Availability Of Data – Secure data is available at any work site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via a web-browser. Personalised logins allow for different levels of data to be made available e.g. reports for HR staff. Holding all data covering Performance Appraisals, Training Needs and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements in one accessible place eradicates the duplication of data held on multiple systems.

Supporting Overall HR Strategy – Using these systems gives an ideal communications framework and discipline to support crucial initiatives such as communicating Business Goals/Vision, Change Management initiatives, Continuous Performance Improvement for all staff, and Succession Planning.

Summary – The implementation of a web-based Performance Management system contains many advantages including the freeing up of valuable time for HR staff to carry out other duties. The best-practice appraisal procedures will support Investors in People and other compliance standards. With many of these systems inexpensive to purchase, and the benefits so broad the Return On Investment (ROI) is quickly achieved.

Author: Malcolm Jones (FCIPD)
Published: 28/02/2010