By Martin Boyd, Principal Consultant, Ergo
Abstract: The ability to change is a fundamental requirement for all organisations, no matter what industry sector. Managers are required to spend an increasing amount of time trying to deliver change whilst continuing to manage the ‘day job' of delivering improved performance. However these should not be seen as conflicting or competing activities - rather that business change is an essential part of managing performance.
Performance Management
Performance Management incorporates all the activities associated with planning, monitoring and improving performance against targets. It is essential for every organisation to ensure they continuously improve in order to remain competitive. But Performance Management needs to be applied throughout an organisation in a variety of different ways. All too often, people will jump straight to thinking about managing individual performance, but this is simply a specific instance where Performance Management can be applied. An even bigger mistake made by some organisations is to limit their management of performance to monitoring performance levels and making knee jerk reactions without understanding the root causes of performance change.
There are many techniques and methodologies available for managing process improvement which try to address this issue. For example, Six Sigma is an example of a very effective method for managing processes and continuously identifying opportunities for their improvement.
However, using these techniques in isolation will fail without effective Change Management. Any improvement initiative, however well identified, needs to be effectively managed to deliver the benefits desired.
