Using your ObjectiveManager account effectively

When a new user logs in to their ObjectiveManager account for the first time, we often get asked “How do I use the software throughout the year?”. While every firm that uses ObjectiveManager will use the software to suit their specific needs, this article indicates a common approach to using the software as a regular user throughout the year. If you are a Lead Reviewer or a Secondary Reviewer, you may have additional responsibilities which are covered in a separate article.

Setting up for the year ahead

When most people first log in to ObjectiveManager, the first step is to prepare your account to serve your purposes throughout the year. This will provide focus for your own performance and maximise the collaboration opportunities for everyone using the software. Once you set up your account effectively, you should find that you spend less time capturing your progress throughout the year:

•       Write your own SMART objectives. Having a set of clearly defined objectives from the outset will help you to get the most out of the software.
•       Submit your objectives for approval. As you build your objectives, send them to your Lead Reviewer for approval. Certain actions are not available if your objectives are kept in a draft state.
•       Browse other user/plan objectives. Spend some time searching for other objectives that are relevant to you. You may find objectives that align with your own, or even find inspiration for your own objectives.
•       Define your development needs. As well as writing your business objectives, you can capture your personal development needs and keep a record of your development activities.

Note – some firms begin using ObjectiveManager during a review or appraisal process. If this is the case, you may complete some of these steps in the review section.

Throughout the year

The more you keep your objectives up to date, the more chance you have of achieving them.

We think that you should look at and review your objectives, competencies, development needs, etc. at least once per week and update them at least a couple of times per month. The key point is to remember what you are focused on and to add progress updates when you have achieved something.

•       Add/update key tasks on your objectives. Tasks define how you will achieve your objectives, i.e. the key actions and steps that you plan to take. This list should always be a key task list, rather than a list of standard everyday/weekly activities. You can add tasks to other areas, such as competencies or development needs.
•       Review your objectives. Are there additional objectives to add? Are all of your objectives still relevant? You can edit your objectives if needed.
•       Add progress updates to your objectives. One of the most valuable activities is to add regular progress updates to your objectives, competencies and development needs. The biggest uplift in performance is seen when users are regularly tracking their progress with objectives.
•       Gather feedback from other ObjectiveManager users. Another powerful tool that can make a real difference throughout the year is the feedback feature on ObjectiveManager. This private feedback will be particularly valuable during review periods.
•       Provide feedback to others. You don’t have to wait for a feedback request from someone else. Simply find their account and you can post confidential feedback for the person and their Reviewer to see.
•       Follow relevant objectives from other users/plans. If your objectives align closely with another user/plan objective, create a link between each objective. Quick searches on areas of interest to you can often uncover useful collaboration opportunities.

Review periods

During review periods, a snapshot of your account is created, gathering all of your efforts together and generating a bespoke review form that contains all of your progress objectives and other areas on ObjectiveManager. If you have engaged with your objectives through the year, the review process becomes effortless.

•       Add any final progress updates before starting your review form. Before generating the snapshot of your account, add any final progress updates you would like to include in your review form. Likewise, update tasks and gather any feedback from others that you would like to include in your review, before generating the form
•       Add self-assessments to your review form. Use the progress updates and feedback received to easily summaries your performance on the review form.
•       Propose new objectives for the next year. As well as reflecting on the past review period, you can put forward new objectives for approval. You can refresh existing objectives or create brand new ones. This also applies to development needs.

Note – When you complete a review on ObjectiveManager, this prepares your account next year ahead, without the need to keep setting up every year. This puts you into the cycle of continual performance improvement and collaboration.