An inclusive, capacity building approach to performance management

Give colleagues a simple framework forself-evaluation using National Standards.

We know that busy colleagues reflect on their workand look for ways to improve - but often struggle withcomplex school improvement systems. So, helpcolleagues self-evaluate using agreed criteria andbegin the process by describing, “This is where I amnow..” The iAbacusTM is a deceptively simpleimprovement tool with self-evaluation at its heart.

Enable colleagues to judge performance andprovide evidence of impact in a range of formats.

Schools are stuffed full of evidence. The toughchoices are in selecting the most convincingquantitative and qualitative information. First,reassure colleagues that judgements are based onevidence not opinion. Then encourage them them tosay, “Here’s evidence of my current impact.” TheiAbacusTM helps colleagues to highlight their very bestevidence and present it using text statements, fileattachments or hyperlinks to other sources.

Support colleagues in the process of analysingfactors that help and hinder their progress.

When targets, or objectives, are imposed withoutallowing for context it causes resentment. So, hardthinking about circumstances, prior to targetsetting and action planning, allows colleagues toexplore, “What is helping and hindering myprogress?” The iAbacusTM motivates colleagues byleading them through an analysis of barriers tosuccess alongside what will help.

Encourage all in school to set personal targets forappraisal and plan actions to achieve them.

The success of any appraisal process has to be theaction taken not the analysis. So, the critical questionwe all need to ask is “So, what am I going to do?” .Then we can identify: What will be done? Who will doit? When will it be done? and How will we measuresuccess? The iAbacusTM process uses self-evaluationand analysis as the basis for setting clear personaltargets and detailed actions for all in school.

Provide appraisers with the time and tools theyneed to collaborate effectively with appraisees.

Yes, schools are bustling and busy but your appraisersneed time to implement appraisal efficiently and withempathy. So, give everyone time to stop, reflect and askeach other, “How is it going?” Encourage interdependenceand reinforce the common purpose of schoolimprovement. The powerful, collaborative features in theiAbacusTM equip appraisers with everything they need toconduct consistent and fair appraisals.

Make appraisal an ongoing process with asustainable way of creating and sharing reports.

If appraisal is to sustain school improvement it hasto be a meaningful, ongoing process for everyoneinvolved. Colleagues want to celebrate by saying,“Look at what we are achieving now!” So, producingconvincing reports on the progress of action plans iscritical. The iAbacusTM automatically generatesvisually compelling, easily understood reports,which can be revisited, updated and disseminated atany time.

www.opeus.com/iabacus

Glaisdale Drive EastBilboroughNottingham

NG8 4JJ

Tel: 0115 929 3419Fax: 0115 954 1266

Email: info@opeus.comWeb: www.opeus.com/iabacus