All About Performance Management


Performance Management refers to a data-oriented and systematic approach which is primarily concerned with management of people. It can also be described as the entire process of progress assessment with an eye on the predefined business objectives.

In the business sense, the word performance is measured as a variance between the expected and actual results. BPM (business performance management) is a complete set of business processes and sub-processes that can help an organization to optimize its overall performance. It provides a suitable framework to the business when it comes to organization and automation. It is also suitable for making analysis with respect to business metrics, methodologies, systems and processes that are essential and pivotal to drive performance of the business as a whole.

Performance Management is strictly concerned with results and is not dependent upon activities and behaviors. For example- An employee who is present in the office from 9am to 5pm may be present physically, but unless he performs some work to authenticate his presence, he cannot be expected to contribute anything to business goals. He may face the Axe on his job. On the other hand, another employee who is working hard may be considered for a high performance rating by the supervisor.

Benefits of Performance Management * It helps to measure results effectively. * It provides an equitable treatment to employees based on work done. * It involves ongoing communication, dialog and feedback thus enhancing the level of internal communication.

Performance Management always strives for the identification of business goals, ways to achieve these goals, and the results. Thus, it can be rightly said that performance management helps in the alignment of business activities, processes and sub-processes to the business goals.

It can thus be regarded as an effective system which helps an organization to achieve its goals in an uniformed manner. It helps to lower the efforts and costs and maximize the levels of productivity, customer satisfaction and employee motivation. It also helps to keep a check on employees who are not living up to the expectations.

Performance Management must follow a long-term and systems based approach with an eye on performance drivers and results. Any negative variances will result in a distorted business position. It is essential to make sure that the employees are treated on the basis of their work, and not on other things. Performance is the key factor on which employees are to be judged.

Thus, it can be said that an organization which is desirous of earning enough profits to maintain its position in the marketplace can make use of this effective management system. This will help it to achieve unprecedented success. Performance management is important to the business needs and must not be neglected.