 |
 |
 |
Download performance improvement plan template in Microsoft Word format.
Create Success with a Performance Improvement Plan Example
Are you a manager at your wits end due to an inefficient or unproductive employee? Have you considered borrowing from an online performance improvement plan example to help you create your own proactive plan that could help you get more from this employee? In today’s competitive business environment, where jobs are scarce, it can be very frustrating as a manager to have to deal with an employee who is underperforming. Nevertheless, it is an important component of your position as a supervisor, and one that can perhaps be best handled using a performance improvement plan example. Fortunately, there are many such examples online and each can be easily adapted to accommodate your unique needs. Here we will discuss the performance improvement plan in a bit more detail, and show you some of the items that would typically be included in one of these invaluable review documents.
About the Performance Improvement Plan
When you’re frustrated with an employee it can be difficult to express yourself, which is where a performance improvement plan can be so valuable, because they help facilitate an open and productive dialogue. A successful performance improvement plan is one that is set up in a way that would benefit the employee, not single them out. Your goal, of course, is to help the employee do their best for the company, but in the process they can also create more success for themselves if the plan is set up properly. With clear guidelines and lots of support, these plans can give your struggling employee all the room he/she needs to improve in certain areas.
When speaking of a “successful” performance improvement plan, naturally we are talking about one that produces results, but we are also referring to how the plan is constructed, delivered and monitored. Therefore, a successful performance improvement plan is one that will enable you to set clear goals and objectives, accurately measure success, conduct regularly scheduled review sessions and continuously chart the progress of the underperforming employee. In doing this, you will need to be clear about the areas in which you would like to see improvement, set minimum expectations and allow a reasonable timeframe for improvement.
Performance Improvement Plan Example
When it comes to a performance improvement plan example, there are literally hundreds of samples available online, but which of these is right for your company and your employees? That’s something only you can answer, but generally speaking, when selecting one of these documents you should opt for one that will address all of the following areas/topics:
• Area(s) of performance that needs improvement. Here you should be very specific and provide concrete examples of how the employee is failing to meet your expectations.
• How you—and the employee—think this improvement can be achieved. This should be a list of clear and measurable goals aimed to help the employee obtain the required improvement.
• Steps towards achievements. This is the “how” section, which should define the specific steps that need to be taken to reach each goal.
• Measurement. This section is where you will define the tool or rubric you will use to measure the employee’s improvement—or lack of improvement. Here is also where you should set up specific review dates—30 days, 60 days, 90 days—when you and the employee can meet to discuss his/her progress, or lack thereof.
The simple truth is that no employee really wants to receive a performance improvement plan, but when searching for a performance improvement plan example, keep in mind that these plans do not have to be negative, and in many cases, could be just the nudge your employee needs to get back on track.