Performance Management - Tailored Approach - Alignment

The Client

A University employing approximately 5000 staff operating campuses both within and outside Australia.

The Brief

To overhaul performance management processes to achieve a more strategic and business focused approach.

We were asked to recommend changes to the University's performance management framework, develop performance management processes in line with contemporary business practices, provide an implementation plan addressing change management considerations, and develop training and support materials.

The University was pursuing large scale change to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This involved restructuring all areas to align with renewed strategic direction and goals. Also rationalising functions and reshaping reporting lines and accountabilities at all levels and major changes to business processes.

HR Advantage had worked with the University to improve performance management practices in some areas. This achieved significantly improved practices in those areas and we were asked to apply our knowledge and experience to build a better process for the wider organisation.

Our Response

We engaged with senior leaders across the University, staff through focus groups, and HR officers, to understand how existing processes were operating, analysing relative strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and alignments with other workforce and key business processes.

This included links with significant work on academic work profiles, teaching and learning strategies, and research performance. We drew on existing data such as employee engagement results and previous inputs collected by HR staff.

Our recommendations redefined the performance management framework, including the process, structure and form, and refocused accountabilities at a University wide level, reinforcing the direct role of management and the enabling role of HR professionals.

We defined education and skilling requirements to equip leaders and staff to benefit from the process. We recommended a staged implementation approach supported by detailed plans and templates, and developed support materials, comprehensive training and facilitator materials for the University to use.

The Results

Our report and recommendtions were approved by the University's senior management group.  The University consulted with unions on the basis of our report and recommendations and gained required support. Our report and recommendations were approved by the University's senior management group. Management and HR designated resources to coordinate implementation including education and training.

The client valued our work, our independence in providing advice, the quality of our analysis and recommendations, and our understanding of, responsiveness and relevance to the unique context of the University. The process we used developed engagement and support of senior leaders across academic and enabling business areas, developing a foundation for their active engagement in implementation.

We completed this project within four months and ahead of schedule in response to changing internal organisational timeframes/imperatives.