How KDIs measure beyond performance The advantage of KDI measurements is that they avoid the subjectivity of psychometric questionnaires, employee surveys, and happiness rankings that rely only on self-reporting
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By Dr. Bob Aubrey
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ey performance indicators (KPIs) are a staple of many performance management systems, but are they sufficient to measure the real contribution of individuals or entire teams? Or do organizations need to go a step further, and look at a different metric: key development indicators? Many companies experienced unexpected difficulty with their existing performance metrics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This fictional case illustrates how the problem arose, and why there is a need for different forms of measurement.
Heroes beyond performance
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It is early 2021 and this midsize multinational company, which could be anywhere in the world, is starting its post-COVID strategic planning. As they review the year just past, the CEO and | FEBRUARY 2021
KDIs should be part of any conversation about setting individual objectives and assessing impact and should figure in the assessment for bonuses Board find that HR has done a heroic job in managing the pandemic crisis. HR implemented health and safety policies to minimize contagion in operations worldwide. They engineered a miraculous acceleration in the use of technologies for working from anywhere. They reached out to every employee working from home and helped adjust the workplace to their
individual needs and preferences—especially those who had to home-school their children and make conference calls from their bedroom. They even sent computers and office equipment to those that needed it. HR organized resources and volunteers to help deal with the pandemic wherever the company operated. They instantaneously adopted and organized tracing technologies—while rejecting the suggestion from one IT consultancy to track employee “engagement” using the camera on employee computers. They embraced the shift to online learning and extended the platform to partners and suppliers. And yet, none of this tremendous contribution was
