Introduction
The Results-Oriented Performance Culture
system focuses on aligning performance with
organisational goals. For this to happen,
employees must have a direct line of sight
between performance expectations,
recognition systems and the agency mission.
These links must be communicated to and
understood by employees, enabling them to
focus their work on those activities most important. All employees should be held accountable for
achieving results that support the agency’s strategic plan goals and objectives.
To meet the requirements outlined in the Results-Oriented Performance Culture system, agencies
can use OPM’s (Organisational Performance Management) eight-step process for developing
employee performance plans aligned with organisational goals. In some organisations, performance
plans have traditionally been developed by copying the activities from an employee’s position
description onto the appraisal form. Even though a performance plan must reflect the type of work
described in the employee’s position description, the plan does not have to mirror it. Performance
plans based on position descriptions generally focus on activities, not accomplishments.
Instead of focusing on activities, OPM recommends developing performance plans based on
established elements and standards that address accomplishments which lead to organisational goal
achievement. Each step in OPM’s eight-step process builds on the previous one. You cannot skip a
step and end up with good results. The eight steps are:
Step 1: Look at the overall picture
Step 2: Determine work unit accomplishments
Step 3: Determine individual accomplishments that support the work unit goals
Step 4: Convert expected accomplishments into performance elements, indicating
type and priority
Step 5: Determine work unit and individual measures
Step 6: Develop work unit and individual standards
Step 7: Determine how to monitor performance
Step 8: Check the performance plan against guidelines