Inside the App: Setting Goals

February 24, 2022

The old performance management playbook has been thrown out the window. Neither managers nor employees see any value in an annual, one-sided review, and are discovering the benefits of collaboration in developing work plans and goals that help employees remain focused and motivated, and help managers increase retention.

The Truvelop app was designed for two-way conversation between the manager and the employee, fostering ownership and agency for employees in their personal growth and development. Both the employee and the manager can view the dashboard, previous evaluations, and history of conversations.

While communication is important, goal setting is critical to ensuring employees have a pathway for success that drives motivation and reduces turnover. Goals encourage career advancement opportunities through the stronger decision-making and more efficient work that comes from setting clear goals.

We are no longer doing a “set it and forget it” type system. We are putting in checkpoints and adjusting when needed. Establishing clear goals can help to give you a sense of direction, but also gives you the ability to adjust at the checkpoints to make sure we are still on the right path.

A common phrase in performance management is SMART goals, but we like SMARTER goals:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Time-based
  • Evaluate
  • Review

We live in an agile world so we need agile goal setting. Evaluating progress and making adjustments even if it means taking a detour or a pause, will help employees feel confident in their development.

For those who perform consistently and at a high level, stretch or breakthrough goals might be necessary. These goals can define an outcome that would take an employee to the next level, but may be a challenge that could take time to achieve. But in the process of working towards these goals, employees can feel a boost in confidence as they push themselves further than they thought possible.

The OKR framework is a great way to develop and track goals:

  • Objectives– goals that inspire and set direction – where do you need to go?
  • Key Results– steps that measure progress towards an objective – how do we know we are getting there?
  • Initiatives– tasks required to drive progress of key results – what will you do to get there?

With the Truvelop app and the feedback tool, Spark, managers can check in with employees, encourage them with positive notes, and employees can ask managers for an employee assessment or feedback on progress. This is a great way to host a two-way conversation about your experience and status of working towards your goals, and to memorialize any feedback shared for future reference.

Contact us today to learn more about our modern approach to performance management and development that actually improves the manager and employee relationship. Don’t just take our word for it, see what our Customers have to say.

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