Prioritizing Performance Management Over Competency Assessment

by Patrick Oh (rewritten by Alvin Ang)

Dr. Alvin Ang
DataFrens.sg
4 min readSep 23, 2023

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Photo by rigel on Unsplash

This is part of a series on :

Organizational Performance Management

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Reevaluating Training and Development Strategies: Prioritizing Performance Management for Enhanced Productivity

Considerable financial resources have been allocated to training organizations over the years, yet the question persists: has this investment led to a substantial increase in productivity and performance standards? Singapore’s prevailing Training and Development approach, centered on the Competency model, primarily emphasizes achieving the minimum required proficiency to execute tasks. However, this approach often falls short in cultivating a culture of continuous learning and fails to deliver significant improvements in workplace performance and productivity.

A compelling case can be made for redirecting resources towards PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, as it offers a multifaceted strategy capable of instilling both a continuous learning ethos and elevating performance, ultimately driving increased productivity.

In this paradigm shift towards Performance Management, several key aspects merit consideration:

**1. Structural Alignment and Project Teams:**
Organizational management must consistently align the Vision, Mission, and Core Values through strategic planning to establish clear organization goals and a well-defined reporting structure. Teams should ideally comprise a smaller group of individuals, typically 3 to 4 members, to ensure active engagement and prevent work inefficiencies.

**2. Goal Planning with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):**
Strategic planning outcomes should be translated into scheduled organization goals, accompanied by well-defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Effective communication of these KPIs is crucial.

**3. Projects Monitoring and Evaluation — The PDCA Cycle:**
Project teams are entrusted with fulfilling the established KPIs and reporting on project progress while adhering to deadlines.

**4. Skills Development — Hard and Core Skills:**
Performance Management, utilizing a project-based approach, stands as an effective method to assess and improve staff proficiency in both hard and core skills. The process inherently motivates employees to embrace a lifelong learning attitude.

**5. Validation and Rewards:**
Skill appraisal and validation are vital components, often achieved by mapping skills against a developed competency framework. This process identifies areas of weakness, enabling staff to embark on tailored learning journeys. Organizations should also budget for a rewards system that recognizes and celebrates staff performance.

It is imperative to underscore that a comprehensive Performance Management strategy extends beyond traditional training initiatives, aiming to enhance organizational output and outcomes. This approach nurtures a culture of continuous learning, enabling staff to develop their skills continuously and aligning their efforts with organizational goals.

Neglecting to acknowledge and reward outstanding contributions can demotivate employees. In some instances, this oversight may result in talent attrition, as staff members seek recognition and appreciation for their exceptional efforts.

In sum, refocusing on Performance Management provides organizations with a holistic framework to enhance productivity, foster a culture of continuous learning, and reward exceptional performance — a path toward sustained success in the dynamic world of business.

Website: www.sgventure-consulting.com

About Patrick Oh

Patrick is a Singapore Certified Management Consultant providing PDPA compliance consultancy, Performance management and Solutions Design and Development.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-oh-sglion65/

About Dr. Alvin Ang

www.AlvinAng.sg

Dr. Alvin Ang earned his Ph.D., Masters and Bachelor degrees from NTU, Singapore. Previously he was a Principal Consultant (Data Science) as well as an Assistant Professor. He was also 8 years SUSS adjunct lecturer. His focus and interest is in the area of real world data science. Though an operational researcher by study, his passion for practical applications outweigh his academic background He is a scientist, entrepreneur, as well as a personal/business advisor.

More about him at www.AlvinAng.sg.

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