OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Setting Goals and Reviewing Results

Ladan Kamfar

This course will show the positive effect of shifting the traditional role of planner and evaluator from the leader, to a shared responsibility between leader and employee. This shift builds employee ownership and allows the leader to focus on coaching and developing throughout the performance cycle. Leaders will experience how to use effective (SMART) goals to help them, and their employees track progress and fairly evaluate outcomes. A well-written performance plan is also a powerful tool for leaders to use when determining where to focus their development and coaching discussions with their employees.

Enroll now

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.

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.
Read more
SMART Performance Goals: SMART goals are introduced. A video-based activity helps learners identifying what can go wrong when goals are not SMART, and how to avoid these situations. Leaders practice writing SMART goals; after a partner reviews and critiques the goals.
The Interaction EssentialsSM and Performance Discussions: The group discusses the importance of personal and practical needs when setting goals and reviewing results. Facilitator reviews the Interaction Essentials, followed by activity in which learners identify the Key Principles and Interaction Guidelines that are most helpful in each type of discussion. Discussion Planner and Discussion Outline are introduced.
Setting Goals Skill Practice: Facilitator explains the skill practice process with two roles—leader and direct report. A prepared skill practice is used by the learners to practice a challenging goal-setting discussion with a partner.
Gathering Data: Two types of performance data—behavioral and operational—is introduced. Facilitator reviews the STAR format as a way of collecting behavioral data. A case study is used for leaders to analyze performance data and track the progress of a direct report.
Reviewing Results Skill Practice: The case study continues via a positive model video of a leader using the Interaction Essentials and performance data—in a performance review discussion. Learners participate in a challenging reviewing results skill practice.
Resources: Leaders receive a Resource Kit for both them and their direct reports to use back on the job.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes shared responsibility in performance management, which fosters employee ownership and allows leaders to focus on coaching and development
Uses SMART goals, which are a standard framework for effective goal setting and performance tracking in professional environments
Includes skill practice exercises, which allow learners to apply concepts and techniques in realistic scenarios with partners
Explores the Interaction Essentials, which are helpful when setting goals and reviewing results in performance discussions
Introduces the STAR format for collecting behavioral data, which is a widely used method for documenting and analyzing employee performance
Requires learners to engage in partner reviews and critiques, which may be difficult for learners who prefer to work independently

Save this course

Save Setting Goals and Reviewing Results to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

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
Reinforce your understanding of the SMART goal framework to prepare for writing effective goals in the course.
Browse courses on SMART Goals
Show steps
  • 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'
Explore a related goal-setting framework to broaden your understanding of performance management.
View Measure What Matters on Amazon
Show steps
  • 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
Improve your ability to write effective SMART goals through repetitive practice.
Show steps
  • Find examples of poorly written goals.
  • Rewrite each goal using the SMART framework.
  • Compare your revisions with model answers.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Develop a Coaching Guide
Solidify your understanding of coaching techniques by creating a guide for providing feedback and support to direct reports.
Show steps
  • 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
Apply the course concepts by developing a performance plan for yourself or a direct report.
Show steps
  • 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'
Learn how to provide effective feedback by exploring the principles of Radical Candor.
View Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition... on Amazon
Show steps
  • 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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Team Leader
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Specialist
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Professional Development Coach
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Coach
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.
See salaries and explore the career path for Change Management Specialist
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

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Setting Goals and Reviewing Results.
Cover image
Measure What Matters
Save
Introduces Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), a goal-setting framework similar to SMART goals. It provides real-world examples of how companies like Google use OKRs to drive performance. Reading this book will provide a broader understanding of goal-setting methodologies and their impact on organizational success. It serves as valuable additional reading to deepen your understanding of performance management.
Measure What Matters
Paperback
Check
Measure What Matters
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition
Save
Focuses on providing effective feedback, a crucial aspect of performance management. It introduces the concept of 'Radical Candor,' which involves challenging directly while also showing you care personally. Reading this book will enhance your ability to deliver constructive feedback and build stronger relationships with your direct reports. It is more valuable as additional reading to supplement the course's focus on performance discussions.
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be...
Hardcover
$$
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be...
Kindle Edition
$$

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Effort
4 to 5 hours per week for 1 week
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Washington University in St. Louis
Instructor
Ladan Kamfar
Session
March 31, 2025 - April 1, 2025
Language
English
Transcript
English
Good to know
Emphasizes shared responsibility in performance management, which fosters employee ownership and allows leaders to focus on coaching and development
Uses SMART goals, which are a standard framework for effective goal setting and performance tracking in professional environments
Includes skill practice exercises, which allow learners to apply concepts and techniques in realistic scenarios with partners
Explores the Interaction Essentials, which are helpful when setting goals and reviewing results in performance discussions
Introduces the STAR format for collecting behavioral data, which is a widely used method for documenting and analyzing employee performance
Requires learners to engage in partner reviews and critiques, which may be difficult for learners who prefer to work independently
Share and help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Don't miss out
Enroll today to gain access to this course
Enroll in this course
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser