Measuring employee performance leads to better govt services

The system to measure employees’ performance was discussed at a workshop held at the Ministry of Information on Tuesday. The workshop organised under the auspices of Ali bin Khalfan al Jabri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Information, had participants from the ministry’s directorates and departments.

The workshops touched several topics, including the concept of the performance measurement system, tasks of the directors of the application of the system (change leaders), and construction of career plans according to the system.

The individual performance measurement system is considered one of the enablers to achieve the Oman Vision 2040, and one of the initiative tools for reviewing operating expenses and controlling expenditure in the financial balance plan (Tawazin).

It aims to develop the human resources system by building a culture of proficiency in job performance, improving performance appraisal systems, and linking productivity with incentives.

It is characterised by flexibility, transparency, objectivity, persistence, innovation, empowerment, focus, complementarity, justice, inclusiveness and governance.

To measure an individual’s performance, three main indicators must be studied — annual plan of the unit, key performance indicators (KPI), objectives and key results (OKR), and the evaluation distribution ratio curve (bell curve).

As for the governance of the performance of the system, it achieves its goals through the existence of specific roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders, an electronic system for setting goals and following up on achievement, an evaluation methodology based on achievement and achieving goals, a clear mechanism for developing low performance, a specific methodology for rewarding the outstanding employees, and a committee to review the results of the performance appraisal, and a grievance committee of the performance appraisal decisions.

The system will be applied at the beginning of the year 2022. However, it started its initial trial application last June and is now in the phase of the online trial application, which will continue till the end of December 2021.

Nasser bin Ahmed al Rashidi, Head of the System Implementation Team at the Ministry, said “The system will provide multiple benefits to the employees, the the institution as well as the community. The employee will see clear tasks and responsibilities, functional goals that are consistent with the unit’s goals, and transparency in work. It will also provide periodic feedback, reward outstanding employees, and enabling employees to complete the work efficiently. For the institution, it will contribute to facilitating the implementation of plans, spreading a culture of competition among employees, increasing employee affiliation, maintaining competencies, efficient utilisation of human resources, and help in identifying employees for leadership positions. The community will benefit with high quality government services.”

Pics by Huda al Bahri