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Measuring

"Measurement" encompasses the assessment of performance and results achieved by individual employees, groups of employees or teams, and entire organizations. Measurement provides a way to determine what has been accomplished and can serve as a basis for deciding when those accomplishments deserve special recognition. Within the performance appraisal process, measuring means determining the level of performance by judging the quality, quantity, timeliness, and/or cost effectiveness of the work against a set of standards.

Staff Recommendations
TitleDescription
A Handbook for Measuring Employee Performance: Aligning Employee Performance Plans with Organizational Goals Describes a method for developing employee performance plans that are aligned with and support organizational goals using an 8-step process. Provides guidelines for writing performance elements and standards along with hands-on exercises to give users a chance to practice their new skills.
Effective Performance Management: Doing What Comes Naturally Describes performance management as a systematic process that includes planning, monitoring, developing, rating, and rewarding.
Advice and Guidance
TitleDescription
Balancing Measures: Best Practices in Performance Management Explains what balanced measures are and how they can help agencies achieve long-term goals.
The Fable of the Beekeepers and Their Bees Describes the advantages of measuring and rewarding results versus activities.
Good Measurement Makes a Difference in Organizational Performance Presents the findings of a study done by the Metrus Group on the value of using strategic measures to track customer and employee satisfaction, financial performance, and operating efficiency.
Measurement and Rewards Improve Performance at GSA Explains how the General Services Administration (GSA) Linking Budget to Performance initiative improves organizational and individual performance.
Measuring Hard-to-Measure Work: Research Scientists Describes one approach to developing elements and standards that measure scientific work that often involves multi-year efforts before attaining final results.
Measuring Hard-to-Measure Work: Secretary Describes how to identify elements and standards that measure the results of a secretary's work.
Measuring Hard-to-Measure Work: Supervisor Describes how to identify elements and standards that measure the results of a supervisor's work.
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