B

efore we start you on the path to writing better per-

formance goals and before we explain how to use this

book to help improve both individual work perform-

ance and overall performance of your work unit or company,

we need to place performance goals within the business and

management context and examine why it’s important to take

the time to establish performance goals for employees.

After all, if you don’t see the sense or value in working with

employees to set goals, it’s not likely you’re going to do it. And

employees also need to understand what goals are, how they

can be used, and, most importantly, what value there is in having

them.

What Are Performance Goals Used For?

There’s a popular misconception that the way to improve per-

formance, whether on an individual basis or for a work unit, is to

appraise and evaluate it after the fact. You’re probably familiar

with the performance appraisal process that is often used once

a year. Manager and employee sit down to discuss and evaluate

performance for the past year. Some forms are used to record the

3

Using This Book to Write

Better Performance Goals

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