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Guidelines
for writing Performance Standards
- Keep
in mind that this is a living document and that just as jobs are constantly
changing, standards are changing as well and should be revisited as
necessary by each unit.
- Standards
should be arrived at through the process of group discussions within
the unit.
- Standards
should be written in ways that are not intimidating; e.g. indicating
that staff must "communicate successfully with authorities"
places all the burden on one part of the equation; "communicating
reasonably, courteously, and with civility toward Library colleagues"
is more reasonable.
- Take
time to explain, within the context of the job/task, terms such as "consistently"
and "time". Does this mean 80% or 90%? How much room there
is for errors? Likewise define "reliable work routine" and
"fair share".
- Check
to make sure standards read like standards and not as definitions of
tasks.
- Standards,
tasks, and criteria should not be fused together, but rather segmented
as per samples.
- Check
to be sure that no standards have been left out.
- If
within a specific unit there are people functioning at different levels,
separate standards must be spelled out. Merging standards among different
levels is confusing. Standards should be illuminated, not hidden.
- Maintain
consistent standards within the unit for each person performing fundamentally
the same task.
- As
well as possible, quantify "reasonable quantity", "reasonable
amount", or "high degree of accuracy".
- Express
a standard for dealing with special situations in particular units,
such as backlogs.
- Since
turnaround times can vary by user demand, quantify the time meant by
"RUSH".
- Consider
whether a quantifiable standard is appropriate for this task and apply
as necessary.
- Check
to ensure that the criteria listed are practical; e.g. for a shelver
- good vision is a reasonable criterion.
- When
using the term "knowledge" as a requirement, consider whether
strong working knowledge or mere familiarity is required, and indicate
which it is.
- When
applicable, integrate safety into the performance standard.
© 2003
Princeton University Last Updated
02/12/2008
Managed by Library Human Resources
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