Effective performance management: Guide for HR professionals

Performance management is an umbrella term with no standard definition. It describes a range of activities that includes setting objectives, providing feedback, improving performance amongst employees and teams, supporting development, reward and recognition and career progression.

Effective performance management processes can support employees to maximise their contribution to the business and help them to learn and develop. Effective processes can also be a motivator. Processes also allow performance and effort to be aligned to organisation goals. Performance management processes that are fair, transparent and inclusive support a positive organisational culture. Together, these benefits can result in positive outcomes for both employees and organisations.    

So how can HR professionals establish effective performance management for their organisation?

This guide provides evidence-based advice on effective performance management so people professionals can make informed decisions and recommendations, and support people managers in implementing performance management processes.  

The guide also links to practical tools at each stage of the process.

There is no one single way to undertake effective performance management; organisations need to consider their own context to ensure that any approach taken works for them and their goals. This guide provides an evidence-based framework to identify what is most likely to be effective in enabling strong performance and help develop an approach that works for your organisation.