As employees prepare to set their goals for this year, Georgia Tech Human Resources (GTHR) and its strategic partners will support employees with incorporating the shared commitment to Georgia Tech’s mission. One example: GTHR has developed a values-based goal setting template that includes Tech’s nine strategic values.

This is a change from how employees previously set their goals. The new template includes details on the difference between expectations and goals, examples of creating values-based S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based) goals, and the responsibilities of both employee and supervisor in the process.

A values-based goal states two things: 1) what we will focus on during the coming year and 2) how we will get the work done. Here is an example of this new goal setting: Organize and manage the portfolio of Institute initiatives to advance the Institute Strategic Plan by using a collaborative [We celebrate collaboration], inclusive [We thrive on diversity], and student-centered approach [Students are our top priority] that leverages the use of Smartsheets technology [We champion innovation] to track progress of reliable data points from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021 [We strive for excellence].

For the 2020 review period, employees will use the same performance appraisal template. However, as we continue to work in a pandemic environment, GTHR wants to ensure easy access to our performance management forms for those who may be working remotely. As such, the performance appraisal form is currently available on-line and is in a new Docusign format. The new values-based goal setting template form will also be placed in a Docusign format.

To account for this new standard, GTHR has updated the performance appraisal process for 2020 with new deadlines. For detailed information, visit: hr.gatech.edu/performance-management.

This is an excerpt from Georgia Tech Brings Values to Everyday Life by Victor Rogers featured in the Feb. 5, 2021 Daily Digest