Success criteria (or performance indicators) answer the question: “How will I know when I’ve achieved my objectives?” They provide the means to identify whether or not a particular objective is being achieved and set out the desired level or standard of performance to be achieved. These criteria provide you with a guide to monitoring progress and discussing performance at a later stage.
The most important aspect of developing success criteria is that the staff member and supervisor agree and understand what will be measured and how it will be measured.
Questions to ask when developing success criteria:
- What will show others, including my clients/students that I am working successfully?
- What are the impacts of my objectives? Why am I doing this?
- How important is it that certain objectives are achieved on time?
- Who will give feedback on the quality of my work and how will they give it?
- Is responsiveness to clients/students important? How might that be demonstrated?
- Is good teamwork and co-operation with other staff a key part of my job?
- What would happen if I didn’t competently perform a task?
