What Is Performance Management?

The term “performance management,” like most terms in the management and business arenas (not to mention software!), has gone through many different permutations over the years, so it helps to start from first principles here and then either borrow or create a definition that works for us.

UC Berkeley defines performance management as “an ongoing process of communication between a supervisor and an employee that occurs throughout the year, in support of accomplishing the strategic objectives of the organization. The communication process includes clarifying expectations, setting objectives, identifying goals, providing feedback, and reviewing results.” [Source]

A popular Human Resources (usually abbreviated as “HR” in this course) article suggests that performance management is “the process of creating a work environment in which people are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities.” [Source]