How can you adjust performance targets when circumstances change?

1 Assess the impact

The first step is to assess the impact of the change on your operations. How does it affect your resources, processes, outputs, and outcomes? How long will it last and how likely is it to recur? How does it align with your strategic goals and priorities? You need to gather relevant data and feedback from your stakeholders to answer these questions and quantify the effects of the change.

2 Review your indicators

The next step is to review your performance indicators and see how they reflect the change. Performance indicators are the metrics that you use to monitor and evaluate your operations. They can be divided into four categories: input, process, output, and outcome indicators. Input indicators measure the resources you use, such as time, money, or staff. Process indicators measure the activities you perform, such as tasks, procedures, or standards. Output indicators measure the products or services you deliver, such as quantity, quality, or timeliness. Outcome indicators measure the results or benefits you achieve, such as customer satisfaction, revenue, or impact.

4 Communicate the changes

The fourth step is to communicate the changes to your performance targets to your team and other stakeholders. You need to explain the reasons for the changes, the implications for your operations, and the expectations for your performance. You also need to listen to their feedback and concerns, and address them accordingly. Communication is key to ensure that everyone is on the same page and committed to achieving the new targets.

5 Monitor and evaluate

The fifth step is to monitor and evaluate your performance against the new targets. You need to collect and analyze data regularly and compare it with your baseline and your indicators. You also need to solicit and review feedback from your customers and employees and assess their satisfaction and engagement. You need to identify any gaps or issues in your performance and take corrective actions if needed.

6 Learn and improve

The final step is to learn and improve from your experience. You need to reflect on what worked well and what didn't, and what you can do better next time. You also need to document and share your lessons learned and best practices with your team and other stakeholders. You need to use your insights and feedback to update your processes, systems, and policies, and to inform your future planning and decision-making.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?