Artificial intelligence (AI) offers features and capabilities that can help managers with time-consuming, repetitive work. Employee evaluations are one such chore. There are standard paper forms for recording important accomplishments and off-the-shelf software apps. There are notebooks and home-made forms. Some organizations require managers to submit evaluations for all their assigned employees on the same day every year, and some require the evaluations to be submitted on the anniversary of employment. The result of all this variation can become a stressful, disorganized flurry of last-minute effort.
AI is here to help
In this article I will present tips for ways to decrease stress in the evaluation workflow. You can set up your own calendar and reminder notes, but the key is to organize the effort so that you can document the evaluation feedback as the performance happens.
Templates
This category includes the usual standard, preprinted forms that list evaluation criteria for all employees. If this is the case for you, create a Word document that lists the criteria that apply to your organization. Prompt your AI to write sample questions and examples for each. When you have one of these forms tailored for each employee you manage, prepare the evaluation, enter significant examples on the employee’s copy, have the AI summarize your comments, and file a secure copy.
If you don’t use pre-printed forms, you can make one up with the help of your HR team.
AI-based software
In addition to templates, there are many AI-based software applications identified in Capterra, TrustRadius, and other online software review sites. Many of these are writing assistants.
Set goals and standards
It is difficult to know what performance is relevant without goals. Your employees need to know what the standards are for raises and promotions, and what leads to disciplinary actions. Employee performance against standards needs to be documented as well.
Collect the performance details
You can enter specific details about an employee’s performance on their form as events take place. Details include clippings from email, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and CRM (Customer Relationship Management software), or your own notes. The important thing is to make these entries routine and as soon as possible after events. Don’t wait until the next review deadline rolls around. You need to capture the information in real-time.
Provide timely feedback
Don’t wait to give quality feedback, whether reinforcing good performance, coaching, mentoring, goal-setting, or providing suggestions for improvement. Document the feedback, and watch for trends over time. You can write a prompt for the AI to generate constructive feedback.