Approaches to Team Development Planning
As in our descriptions of the performance planning and performance appraisal
phases, we will continue with our example of the IT Department. So at this point
in our example, a performance plan and the performance appraisal activities
have already been conducted by the supervisor of the team.
13. If performance does not meet desired performance standards, then develop
or update a performance development plan to address the performance gap*
(See Note 1 below.) This plan clearly conveys how the conclusion was made that
there was inadequate performance, what actions are to be taken, by whom and
when. In our example, if the IT Department was not performing to desired standards,
then some forms of help (or interventions) would be provided, for example, coaching,
mentoring, training or more resources.
- In a progressive approach, performance development can occur in real time, that is, the supervisor and team members would address performance issues as soon as they occur. The supervisor and team members would collaborate to decide what improvements are needed and how they might be implemented. Their decisions would be about any additional help that might be needed, and also the learnings so far and how they could advance the members’ careers.
* Note 1: Inadequate performance does not always indicate a problem on the
part of the team. For example, the performance standards may be unrealistic
or the team may have insufficient resources.
14. Repeat steps 9 to 13 until performance is acceptable, standards are
changed, the team is replaced or management decides to do nothing.
Now, near the end of the three phases, is a very good time to evaluate your
overall team management process to see what you are learning and what changes
that you want to make in order to improve the process.