Setting Goals and Reviewing Results from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
Ensure direct reports take a more active role in managing their performance;

Manage performance on an ongoing basis while working within the organizations time parameters for goal setting and performance reviews; and,
Provide the ongoing coaching and feedback your direct reports need to achieve their goals; and, increase your direct reports' confidence and commitment to their success.

At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
Ensure direct reports take a more active role in managing their performance;
Manage performance on an ongoing basis while working within the organizations time parameters for goal setting and performance reviews; and,
Provide the ongoing coaching and feedback your direct reports need to achieve their goals; and, increase your direct reports' confidence and commitment to their success.

Syllabus

Shared Ownership: Learners share with a partner the insights they gained about themselves in their self-assessment—concerning performance management. Facilitator introduces a performance cycle, roles and responsibilities, and the recommended discussions throughout the performance cycle.

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what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes shared responsibility in performance management, which fosters employee ownership and allows leaders to focus on coaching and development

Focuses on using effective (SMART) goals to track progress and fairly evaluate outcomes, which is a widely recognized and applied framework

Explores the importance of personal and practical needs when setting goals and reviewing results, which can lead to more effective discussions

Utilizes the STAR format for collecting behavioral data, which is a common technique for performance analysis and feedback

Requires learners to share insights about themselves concerning performance management, which may be challenging for some individuals

Uses a prepared skill practice for learners to practice a challenging goal-setting discussion, which may not reflect real-world scenarios

Reviews summary

Practical goal setting & performance review skills

According to learners, this course provides a highly practical and valuable framework for setting effective goals and conducting performance reviews, particularly focusing on the role of a leader managing direct reports. Students frequently praised the clear explanation of frameworks like SMART goals and the STAR method for data collection, finding them immediately applicable in their professional roles. The hands-on skill practice exercises were highlighted as especially useful for building confidence in having difficult conversations. Reviewers noted the content is highly relevant for anyone in a management or leadership position and is particularly beneficial for those new to formal performance management processes. Overall, students found it a very positive learning experience that provides actionable tools.

Geared towards managers and those leading teams.

"This course is highly relevant if you manage direct reports and are responsible for their performance reviews and development."

"As a team leader, I found the content directly applicable to my day-to-day interactions and how I structure my team's performance."

"It focuses squarely on the leader's responsibility in the performance cycle, which was exactly the perspective I needed for my role."

Beneficial for those new to formal performance management.

"Great foundational course for new managers needing structure and guidance in how to handle performance discussions effectively."

"If you're new to formal goal setting processes or performance reviews with employees, this is a solid starting point."

"It provided a clear, step-by-step process that I, as a beginner manager, could easily follow and implement with my team."

Provides tools directly usable in the workplace.

"I can immediately use the tools and strategies provided in this course to improve my performance management practices at work."

"The concepts taught here are not just theoretical; they are practical steps I can take starting tomorrow."

"This course gave me concrete methods for approaching goal setting and performance reviews that I can apply directly with my employees."

Hands-on exercises help build confidence in discussions.

"While challenging, the skill practice sessions were incredibly valuable for simulating real goal-setting discussions and building comfort."

"Role-playing these difficult review conversations helped me feel much more prepared and confident before having them in real life."

"The chance to practice setting goals and reviewing results using the course's models was a major plus for me and improved my technique."

Introduces actionable methods like SMART goals and STAR data.

"I found the section on SMART goals particularly useful for setting clear objectives with my team."

"Using the STAR method for gathering performance data is a practical takeaway I've already implemented in my job."

"The course introduced frameworks I can immediately apply in my role as a leader during performance conversations and planning."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Setting Goals and Reviewing Results with these activities:

Review SMART Goal Framework

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Reinforce your understanding of the SMART goal framework to prepare for writing effective goals in the course.

Browse courses on SMART Goals

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Find articles and videos explaining the SMART framework.
Identify examples of SMART and non-SMART goals.
Practice converting vague goals into SMART goals.

Read 'Measure What Matters'

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Explore a related goal-setting framework to broaden your understanding of performance management.

View Measure What Matters on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Measure What Matters'.
Read the book, focusing on the OKR framework and case studies.
Compare and contrast OKRs with SMART goals.

SMART Goal Revision Exercises

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Improve your ability to write effective SMART goals through repetitive practice.

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Find examples of poorly written goals.
Rewrite each goal using the SMART framework.
Compare your revisions with model answers.

Three other activities

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Develop a Coaching Guide

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Solidify your understanding of coaching techniques by creating a guide for providing feedback and support to direct reports.

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Research effective coaching techniques.
Outline key principles of effective coaching.
Write a guide with practical tips and examples.
Share the guide with colleagues for feedback.

Create a Personal Performance Plan

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Apply the course concepts by developing a performance plan for yourself or a direct report.

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Identify 3-5 key performance areas for the next quarter.
Write SMART goals for each performance area.
Define metrics to track progress toward each goal.
Schedule regular check-ins to review progress.

Read 'Radical Candor'

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Learn how to provide effective feedback by exploring the principles of Radical Candor.

View Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Radical Candor'.
Read the book, focusing on the feedback framework.
Reflect on how to apply Radical Candor in your own interactions.

Career center

Learners who complete Setting Goals and Reviewing Results will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Department Manager

A Department Manager is responsible for the overall performance of their team, and managing employee performance is a key component of this role. This course focuses on empowering team members to take a more active role in managing their own performance. These skills will directly improve a department manager's abilities. The course's focus on SMART goals and performance discussions is very relevant to this role. The material on gathering data will help department managers track the progress of their team in a more concrete way. This course will vastly improve their ability to lead their department.

See salaries and explore the career path for Department Manager

Supervisory Associate

A Supervisory Associate guides a team of employees and helps them achieve clearly defined objectives, and this course provides the perfect foundation for this role. This role requires the ability to set clear goals, track progress, and provide regular feedback to team members. This course will help a supervisory associate gain the skills to create SMART goals for their team, and help them to give constructive feedback. The course will help them to better understand how to review team progress, and help the team reach its full potential. The shared ownership model will help to build a stronger, more engaged team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supervisory Associate

Team Leader

A Team Leader is responsible for guiding team members toward achieving common objectives, and requires a balance of planning, feedback, and coaching. This role is improved by developing methods for performance management. This course focuses on transitioning performance management to a shared responsibility between team leaders and their team members. The course's focus on SMART goals and effective performance discussions will help a team leader better guide their team members. The shared ownership model emphasized in this course is helpful in building a team that is motivated to reach its goals.

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Human Resources Specialist

A Human Resources Specialist often plays a key role in shaping performance management systems within an organization, and this course will help to facilitate that. This role involves developing and implementing strategies for employee development, including goal setting and performance evaluation. The course emphasizes empowering employees to take a more active role in managing their performance and helps build a foundation for performance discussions. The modules covering SMART goals and the Interaction Essentials are particularly helpful for a human resources specialist who seeks to drive employee engagement. The skill practices within the course also help this person develop critical practical skills for reviewing employee performance.

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Talent Development Manager

A Talent Development Manager is responsible for improving the skills and performance of employees, and this course can provide a key piece of information. This role requires a deep understanding of how to set effective goals, track progress, and provide feedback. This course can provide a talent development manager with effective training strategies and methods of review. The course content regarding SMART goals, performance discussions, and data gathering will be particularly useful for creating programs that improve employee performance. This course helps to ensure employees reach their full potential and are fully engaged.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Development Manager

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for leading teams and guiding projects to successful completion, and effective performance management is key to success. This role requires the ability to set clear objectives, track progress, and provide feedback to team members. This course will help a project manager gain skills in creating and using SMART goals to help the team achieve their objectives. The modules on performance discussions and data gathering will be particularly useful for a project manager to properly assess and manage team progress. This course will greatly improve one's ability to lead teams effectively and efficiently.

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Learning and Development Consultant

A Learning and Development Consultant designs and implements programs to enhance employee skills and performance. This role requires a solid background in performance management principles, including goal setting and feedback. This course will help a learning consultant to develop strategies that enable employees to take an active role in their development. This course will help them to design effective training programs. The modules on SMART goals and the Interaction Essentials will be particularly useful for this role. This course is an excellent supplement to a learning professional.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Consultant

Training and Development Specialist

A Training and Development Specialist designs and delivers training programs aimed at improving employee skills and performance, and this course can help these professionals understand how to best lead others. This role requires a deep understanding of performance management principles, including goal setting and performance reviews. This course can help a training specialist develop a toolkit for creating training to help employees take a more active role in performance management. The course modules on SMART goals and the Interaction Essentials can help to build programs that support a positive performance management culture. This course helps to better design employee training.

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Program Manager

A Program Manager oversees multiple related projects, and this role requires a great understanding of performance management. The position requires a thorough understanding of how to manage teams, especially through setting common goals and reviewing performance. This course may be helpful in providing proven models for goal setting, data gathering, and performance reviews. The skill practice sessions emphasized in the course will be particularly useful for a program manager to help their teams reach their full potential. This will allow for the program manager to develop the skills necessary to lead teams effectively.

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Management Consultant

A Management Consultant advises organizations on how to improve their effectiveness, often including performance management. This role demands a thorough understanding of how to set effective goals and conduct performance reviews. This course may be useful in providing practical tools for goal setting, performance reviews, and fostering shared ownership in the workplace. The course modules covering SMART goals, performance discussions, and data gathering will be particularly applicable for a consultant to help their clients reach their goals. This course helps to ensure the consultant's clients reach their full potential.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees the daily activities of a company to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, and this course will provide helpful tools for managing staff. This role involves a wide range of responsibilities, one of which is the performance management of employees, and this course will focus on that in particular. The course will help to ensure an operations manager can effectively implement systems for goal setting and performance reviews. The course material on SMART goals and performance discussions will be particularly useful for any operations manager who is seeking to improve their team's performance. This course emphasizes positive ways to review results and manage staff.

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Professional Development Coach

A Professional Development Coach works with individuals to improve their skills and advance their careers. This requires a solid understanding of performance management best practices. This course will help a coach develop strategies to empower their clients through effective goal setting and performance reviews. The course modules on SMART goals, performance discussions, and data gathering are particularly relevant for coaches to teach their clients how to reach their full potential. This work demands a thorough understanding of performance review and results.

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Executive Coach

An Executive Coach works with leaders to improve their performance and help achieve their professional goals, and this course provides a helpful framework for that. This role requires specific skills in setting effective goals, providing feedback, and facilitating performance discussions. This course provides specific tools, such as the Interaction Essentials, that an executive coach can use to help leaders improve their performance management skills. The focus on shared ownership can help an executive coach better teach their clients to empower their team members. This course is helpful for those who wish to provide guidance to others.

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Change Management Specialist

A Change Management Specialist guides organizations through periods of transformation, and this transition often includes changes in managing performance. This role requires a deep understanding of how to engage employees and get them aligned on new goals. This course will help a change management specialist implement methods for ensuring that team members at all levels embrace change and reach their goals. This course touches upon topics such as shared ownership and empowerment, which are key to a successful transition. The course also emphasizes positive and respectful methods of review.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst identifies business needs and helps to improve processes, and one way in which they do this is by helping others reach their full potential. This role requires an understanding of performance metrics and how to ensure employees are working effectively towards defined goals. This course may help a business analyst better advise an organization on how to implement effective performance management strategies. The course modules on SMART goals and data gathering will be particularly useful for a business analyst, helping to implement data-driven strategies. This course is helpful for professionals who need to manage teams and their progress.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Setting Goals and Reviewing Results

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Practical goal setting & performance review skills

Activities

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