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How to Effectively Set and Manage Expectations of the Employees?

 

Setting performance expectations is important for the success of any project. It creates a culture of accountability. Project managers need to set expectations and then also monitor them effectively.

Here are six effective tips that can help project managers to set and manage expectations regarding employee performance.

1. Set the Right Goals

The foremost tip when setting expectations is to select the right performance goals. The goals should be congruent with overall project objectives. Setting the right goals is about priority. It’s a dialectic process in which the manager has to balance between two extremes. Is quality more important or speed? Should the employee have flexibility in decision making or stick to the rules?

Also, the selected goals should be measurable and specific. This will later help in gauging the actual performance of the employee.

2. Create Mutual Goals

The goals that are selected should be set mutually. Setting goals mutually enable the employee take ownership of the goal. The employee will put in the extra effort to achieve mutually agreed goals. Setting mutual goals will help both of you know about the realistic assumptions regarding performance. This can help both of you to move towards an agreement regarding achievable goals.

3. Communicate the Expectations

Once the expectations are set, they should be effectively communicated to the team. Consider using online collaboration software to effectively communicate the goals to the employees. Clear communication is important so that employees don’t have any confusion regarding the goals. The communication should be done in an open and simple manner. This will help any confusion and misinterpretations regarding the goals.

4. Give Context of the Expectations

Clearly communicating the expectations is important. However, it’s also important to give the context for the set goals. The project manager should make the goals easier to follow and clear. Providing context regarding the performance expectations will help the employees to understand the bigger picture. This will help them to understand the performance targets better and become committed more easily.

5. Create an Employee Handbook

One idea suggested by Nolo.com is to create an employee handbook. The employee handbooks should spell out the expectations in terms of benefits, hours, promotion, safety, attendance, bonuses, and other performance related information. This will provide clarity, consistency, and legal protection.

6. Provide Feedback

You should provide regular feedback to the employees regarding their performance. This is important for managing the expectations of the employees. Make sure that the feedback is both ways. You should convey your feedback to the employee and receive feedback in return. Providing and getting feedback will help in getting the best possible results.

Following the above tips can help in setting and managing performance expectations from the project team. Remember that setting unrealistic targets will create stress and tension. So, make sure that the performance targets are realistically achievable.

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How to Effectively Set and Manage Expectations of the Employees?

Setting performance expectations is important for the success of any project. It creates a culture of accountability. Project managers need to set expectations and then also monitor them effectively.

Here are six effective tips that can help project managers to set and manage expectations regarding employee performance.

1. Set the Right Goals

The foremost tip when setting expectations is to select the right performance goals. The goals should be congruent with overall project objectives. Setting the right goals is about priority. It’s a dialectic process in which the manager has to balance between two extremes. Is quality more important or speed? Should the employee have flexibility in decision making or stick to the rules?

Also, the selected goals should be measurable and specific. This will later help in gauging the actual performance of the employee.

2. Create Mutual Goals

The goals that are selected should be set mutually. Setting goals mutually enable the employee take ownership of the goal. The employee will put in the extra effort to achieve mutually agreed goals. Setting mutual goals will help both of you know about the realistic assumptions regarding performance. This can help both of you to move towards an agreement regarding achievable goals.

3. Communicate the Expectations

Once the expectations are set, they should be effectively communicated to the team. Consider using online collaboration software to effectively communicate the goals to the employees. Clear communication is important so that employees don’t have any confusion regarding the goals. The communication should be done in an open and simple manner. This will help any confusion and misinterpretations regarding the goals.

4. Give Context of the Expectations

Clearly communicating the expectations is important. However, it’s also important to give the context for the set goals. The project manager should make the goals easier to follow and clear. Providing context regarding the performance expectations will help the employees to understand the bigger picture. This will help them to understand the performance targets better and become committed more easily.

5. Create an Employee Handbook

One idea suggested by Nolo.com is to create an employee handbook. The employee handbooks should spell out the expectations in terms of benefits, hours, promotion, safety, attendance, bonuses, and other performance related information. This will provide clarity, consistency, and legal protection.

6. Provide Feedback

You should provide regular feedback to the employees regarding their performance. This is important for managing the expectations of the employees. Make sure that the feedback is both ways. You should convey your feedback to the employee and receive feedback in return. Providing and getting feedback will help in getting the best possible results.

Following the above tips can help in setting and managing performance expectations from the project team. Remember that setting unrealistic targets will create stress and tension. So, make sure that the performance targets are realistically achievable.