How to Set Employee Performance Goals

Author: Joey V. Price, Jumpstart:HR

Management expert Peter Drucker coined one of the most famous sayings in business: "What gets measured gets managed." While the saying is true for widgets and budgets, it is also valid for employee success. Setting attainable and measurable goals helps to strengthen the business by guiding employees' improvement and helping them ultimately meet and even surpass targets. The best people managers know that the importance of setting effective performance goals cannot be overstressed. The question is how to go about it.

Managers need to ensure their employee's goals align with the organization's and department's business strategy and mission. A misaligned target can dilute efforts to create a results-driven team and high-performing employees. The following steps will help managers set effective performance goals with their employees.