Performance management software online is set to revolutionise staff appraisal and development processes in the Local Government sector. Melbourne based human capital specialist, IXP3, says the benefits of online performance management systems over paper abased systems are too great to be ignored. IXP3 Director, Lyle Potgieter, says when you consider that more than 40% of average Council expenditure relates to human resources, programs for increasing the performance of employees can pay big dividends.
“Typical old style performance appraisal is conducted annually or half yearly, with paper based reports passing backwards and forwards between managers and their direct reports,” Lyle Potgieter said. “By developing online, software based staff appraisal and development systems, we can introduce considerable efficiencies. Online reporting is quicker and easier to complete, and means that all parties have all the necessary information at their fingertips and on time.
“This gives staff a greater understanding and sense of ownership of their appraisal and development plans, and how they align with organisational goals. And managers can run organisation wide reports which will instantly identify the organisation’s key human capital issues or staff development and training needs. This type of instant, on line reporting and analysis is simply not possible with a paper based process.”
IXP3 has developed a software based performance management solution that sets goals and provides feedback on a regular basis, and is managed online.
Simple, quick to complete and transparent, the product, IHR3, helps line managers not only improve staff performance, but also provides a methodology to help sustain behavioural change.
“The key to improving performance is regular appraisal and feedback with a system that respects the environment of change,” Mr Potgieter said. “IHR3 allows managers to align their changing organisational goals with their expectations of staff performance, on a regular basis. It gives staff the framework, and the positive support, which helps foster success.”
The IHR3 product was initially developed for large scale businesses and has already been adopted by corporate heavyweights including McDonalds Australia and Westfield. The product is currently in use by over 6,000 personnel worldwide.
IXP3 has now developed a version of the online software specifically tailored for the Local Government sector. This version has been in use by a Victorian council for over 18 months. The company is in the process of detailing the product to councils nationwide, showing that continual appraisal can provide similar performance benefits in client service delivery at the local Council level as it does for business.
IXP3’s product manages all aspects of best practice organisational performance management, including setting goals and objectives, staff development plans and the changing nature of position descriptions. Each product installation is customised to suit individual Council’s specific requirements. And the latest version of IHR3 can either be hosted on the Council’s own server, or served remotely by IXP3.
“The development of an ASP version of the software product, which can be hosted by IXP3 in a distributed model, will be of particular interest to smaller councils who are attracted to an outsourced solution,” Lyle Potgieter said.
* Councils interested in a demonstration of the benefits of IXP3’s online performance management software should contact IXP3 on (03) 9869 8888, or via its web site at www.ihr3.com
