HOMEHow Do We Choose A Performance Management Software Solution?
Because performance management software has grown so sophisticated and complicated, and the options so varied, the average small business owner, manager or human resources professional is likely to like the systematic skills necessary to ensure that what is purchased is the best possible solution at the best possible price.
With so many features and issues of data sharing and interfacing of various human resource software components, it makes sense to have at least one person on the performance management purchasing "team" who has system analysis experience and training, and who can be a major guide to the logic of the process. An experienced system analyst will know how to analyse the company's needs, prepare a list of required features, and be in a position to determine how well different performance management software will work on the existing computer systems and software.
However, the decision about what specific software to purchase should not be left up to a systems analyst in the information technology department. It's also important that the human resources department be involved in the decision-making (that's pretty obvious), but what's less obvious is that supervisors, managers, and even employees should be involved, also, at least in determining what they want from a software solution. After all, it's the line people who have to use the darn thing, so it better suit their needs, too.
Keep in mind that the performance management software is a tool to make what is essentially a human, communication based process a little more efficient. It is not valuable in and of itself. It's value comes from the ability of managers and supervisors (and employees) to use it to improve performance.