Definition of Personal Performance Standards
Personal performance standards are specific criteria that clearly outline the expected level of performance for each individual within an organization (OPM, 2023). These standards serve as a benchmark for evaluating and appraising an individual’s performance, helping to set clear expectations, promote accountability, and provide a basis for feedback and development (OPM, 2023).
Key Facts
- Definition: Personal performance standards are specific criteria that outline the expected level of performance for each individual in an organization.
- Purpose: Personal performance standards serve as a benchmark for evaluating and appraising an individual’s performance. They help in setting clear expectations, promoting accountability, and providing a basis for feedback and development.
- Characteristics: Personal performance standards should be objective, measurable, realistic, and clearly stated in writing or other recorded formats.
- General Measures: Performance standards can be categorized into general measures, which include quality, quantity, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. These measures assess how well the work is performed, how much work is produced, how quickly it is completed, and how effectively resources are utilized.
- Specific Measures: Specific measures are developed based on the general measures and are included in the performance standards. These measures can be numeric or descriptive, depending on whether they can be quantified or require judgment.
- Writing Standards: When writing personal performance standards, it is important to consider the number of levels used in the appraisal program. The Fully Successful standard should be challenging but achievable. Numeric measures should define the range of numbers representing Fully Successful performance, while descriptive measures should identify the judge and the factors they would look for.
Characteristics of Personal Performance Standards
Effective personal performance standards should possess several key characteristics:
- ObjectivityStandards should be based on observable and verifiable data, eliminating subjectivity and bias in the evaluation process (OPM, 2023).
- MeasurabilityStandards should be quantifiable or have clear criteria for assessment, allowing for objective measurement of performance (OPM, 2023).
- RealismStandards should be challenging yet achievable, motivating individuals to strive for excellence while ensuring that goals are attainable (OPM, 2023).
- ClarityStandards should be clearly communicated in writing or other recorded formats, ensuring that individuals have a clear understanding of what is expected of them (OPM, 2023).
General Measures of Performance Standards
Performance standards can be categorized into general measures that assess various aspects of performance (Clockify, 2023):
- QualityThis measure evaluates how well the work is performed, considering accuracy, appearance, usefulness, or effectiveness (Clockify, 2023).
- QuantityThis measure focuses on how much work is produced, often expressed as an error rate or a general result to be achieved (Clockify, 2023).
- TimelinessThis measure assesses how quickly or by what date the work is completed, ensuring that tasks are accomplished within specified timeframes (Clockify, 2023).
- Cost-EffectivenessThis measure evaluates the efficient use of resources, considering dollar savings to the organization or working within budget constraints (Clockify, 2023).
Specific Measures of Performance Standards
Specific measures are developed based on the general measures and are included in the performance standards (OPM, 2023). These measures can be numeric or descriptive, depending on whether they can be quantified or require judgment (OPM, 2023).
- Numeric MeasuresNumeric measures define the range of numbers representing Fully Successful performance. For example, a standard might specify that an employee must achieve a sales target of between $10,000 and $15,000 per month to meet the Fully Successful level (OPM, 2023).
- Descriptive MeasuresDescriptive measures identify the judge and the factors they would look for in evaluating performance. For instance, a standard might state that a supervisor will assess an employee’s communication skills based on their ability to deliver clear and concise presentations (OPM, 2023).
Writing Personal Performance Standards
When writing personal performance standards, it is important to consider the number of levels used in the appraisal program (OPM, 2023). The Fully Successful standard should be challenging but achievable, motivating individuals to strive for excellence while ensuring that goals are attainable (OPM, 2023).
- Fully Successful StandardThe Fully Successful standard should be a single point of performance above which is Fully Successful and below which is Unacceptable (OPM, 2023).
- Numeric MeasuresFor numeric measures, the Fully Successful standard should define the range of numbers representing Fully Successful performance (OPM, 2023).
- Descriptive MeasuresFor descriptive measures, the Fully Successful standard should identify the judge and the factors they would look for in evaluating performance (OPM, 2023).
Conclusion
Personal performance standards play a crucial role in performance management, providing a clear framework for evaluating and appraising individual performance. By establishing objective, measurable, realistic, and clearly stated standards, organizations can ensure that employees have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and that their performance is evaluated fairly and consistently.
References
- OPM. (2023). Developing Performance Standards. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/performance-management/performance-management-cycle/planning/developing-performance-standards/
- Rutgers University. (n.d.). Sample Performance Standards – General Performance Standards. University Human Resources. https://uhr.rutgers.edu/performance-management/sample-performance-standards-general
- Clockify. (2023). Why and how to create performance standards in an organization (plus examples). Clockify Blog. https://clockify.me/blog/business/performance-standard/
FAQs
What are personal performance standards?
Personal performance standards are specific criteria that outline the expected level of performance for each individual in an organization. They serve as a benchmark for evaluating and appraising an individual’s performance.
What are the characteristics of effective personal performance standards?
Effective personal performance standards are objective, measurable, realistic, and clearly stated in writing or other recorded formats.
What are the general measures of performance standards?
General measures of performance standards include quality, quantity, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. These measures assess how well the work is performed, how much work is produced, how quickly it is completed, and how effectively resources are utilized.
How are specific measures of performance standards developed?
Specific measures of performance standards are developed based on the general measures and are included in the performance standards. These measures can be numeric or descriptive, depending on whether they can be quantified or require judgment.
How are personal performance standards written?
When writing personal performance standards, it is important to consider the number of levels used in the appraisal program. The Fully Successful standard should be challenging but achievable, motivating individuals to strive for excellence while ensuring that goals are attainable.
What is the purpose of personal performance standards?
Personal performance standards serve as a benchmark for evaluating and appraising an individual’s performance. They help in setting clear expectations, promoting accountability, and providing a basis for feedback and development.
Who is responsible for setting personal performance standards?
Typically, personal performance standards are set by managers or supervisors in collaboration with employees. This ensures that the standards are aligned with the organization’s goals and the individual’s role and responsibilities.
How are personal performance standards communicated to employees?
Personal performance standards should be clearly communicated to employees in writing or through other recorded formats. This ensures that employees have a clear understanding of what is expected of them and how their performance will be evaluated.