A five staged performance framework

In previous blogs we have spoken about the need for a robust performance measurement framework when assessing objective achievement.

Here is one we've developed as an example:

Achievement level	Guidance notes
Exceptional achievement	Delivering above expectations in all set objectives.	Where all agreed objective targets have been exceeded.
Additional achievement	Meeting all set objectives but delivering above the expected level for some.	Where all agreed objective targets have been met with one or more achieving above the expected level.
Fully achieved	Achieving a high standard of work meeting all set objectives.	Where all agreed objective targets have been achieved. Or where there is a spread of partially achieved objectives and additional achievement objectives.
Partially achieved	Meeting expected level for some objectives but not all.	Where one or more objective measure has not been fully achieved.
Not achieved	Not delivering against any set objectives.	Where no set objective has been achieved.

Managers can still use their professional discretion, but on the basis of a clear datum provided in these descriptions.  The further they stray from the guide, the more they will need to justify the chosen level.

Working with this style of framework at least ensures that all managers start from the same point of understanding.