Insights from Engagedly’s State of AI in HRM, 2nd Edition Survey.
Performance Appraisals are one of the most important processes in an organization, especially for the employees. But often, employees feel unsatisfied and harbor a bitter feeling towards the managers and the organization once the process is over. It happens because of some of the common mistakes which the managers make in conducting the process.
If you are a manager in the software industry this article will help you conduct performance appraisals better.
Often managers working in a software company commit the mistake of holding their reviews and feedback until it’s time for annual performance appraisal. They fail to realize what impact an instant and continuous feedback process can have on their employees. As a result, the employees are not sure when they are working in the wrong direction or right.
The managers believe that performance appraisal is the right time to provide feedback to their employees. But as performance appraisals happen half-yearly or annually in most software companies, it becomes too late to receive feedback for some work which was done at the beginning of the year. Using a real time performance management software would solve the problem easily as employees can be continuously monitored and reviewed for their progress, and it will not be a surprise for them at the time of appraisal.
When a real time performance management software is not in place to conduct continuous performance evaluations, managers tend to have a clouded judgement due to recency bias. They tend to forget past work and achievements of employees and conduct the performance appraisal based on just their recent work.
A manager should do their background work on knowing about the tasks and achievements of the employee, or have a real time performance management system in place to keep a track of it.
Also Read: Be A Better Manager and Avoid These Five Mistakes
Managers often lay undue importance on the performance appraisal instead of giving importance to the processes before and after it. One who communicates well with their employees throughout and after the performance appraisal makes the performance appraisal process easy for both. Managers set the expectations, and employees work on it.
Performance Appraisals should not be the platform to discuss only the compensation, incentives, or what has already happened. It should also be used to discuss plans to improve performance.
Often managers at software companies commit the grave mistake of comparing employees of the same or different levels with each other during their performance appraisals. This not only demoralizes the employee and creates friction within the team, but also makes the employee hostile towards their managers.
Also Read: Wondering How To Give Constructive Feedback? Here’s How
Many organizations tend to postpone or altogether cancel the performance appraisal process. They are not the only yardstick to measure employee performance, but employee promotions and salaries surely depend on it. To delay or postpone them creates a bad impression of the manager or organization on the employees. Employees might feel that they are not given enough importance, and all the organization cares about is work. If managers are not getting ample amount of time to conduct a yearly performance review, they can opt for continuous feedback or quarterly reviews.
Often managers and employees leave out one key component from the performance appraisal… discussion about future plans. A manager’s job involves not only assessing the employee at present but also guiding them in achieving personal and career goals of the future. This helps in an easy career transition of an employee in the software industry. They can easily switch roles, and also change projects as per their plans.
Also Read: Everything Depends On The Right kind Of Goal Setting. Here’s Why
If your organization is not practicing a continuous feedback approach to recognize your employees, then performance appraisals are just the perfect time to do so. Instead of focusing too much on negatives and criticisms, employees can be appreciated for their accomplishments and strengths. This type of constructive feedback will not only improve their productivity at work but will also improve their engagement.
Using Engagedly’s Real Time Performance Management Software you can publicly praise your employees and also award points for accomplishments. The praises and rewards will be visible to everyone in the organization.
As a manager, performance appraisal is the correct time to set SMART goals for your employees based on past goals and objectives. Give them an outline of what is expected from them in the next performance cycle. The acronym SMART stands for:
An ideal example of a SMART goal for an IT project would be: completing the 60 % UI/UX(Specific, Measurable, and Achievable) designing of the website by two months (Relevant and Timely). The goal should not be rigid and should be flexible to changes.
Also Read: 7 Tips To Make Your Goal Setting Effective
A perfect performance appraisal, SMART goals, timely rewards, and recognition; all of these would be of no use if there is no follow up from your end. Check with your employees from time to time if the project is on track and development plans are met, and milestones achieved. If there is no proper follow-up, employees often fall through the gap and lose their motivation, which ultimately affects productivity.
Implement real time performance management software at your organization to conduct your performance appraisal with ease. It will not only help you to track your employee’s progress and goals easily, but also provide continuous feedback to them which will keep them engaged and motivated at their work. If you are looking for one, request for a demo with us.
Engagedly is offering a suite of products part of its Remote Work Toolkit free to any organisation, until Sept 30th, 2020.
The Coronavirus has affected the way we work today and for months to come. Unprecedented events require unprecedented measures. We at Engagedly believe it is our responsibility as socially conscious corporate citizens to help equip organisations with additional tools and resources during this time of crisis.
Get in touch with us to know more about the free remote working tool-kit.
© 2024 Engagedly. All rights reserved.
