With a view of getting the performance management tool, Balance Scorecard (BSC), percolated down to individual level, Arba Minch University’s Strategic Planning and Evaluation & Implementation Directorate has held an orientation meeting at Lecture’s Theatre, Main Campus on September 30.

The Director of Strategic Planning and Evaluation & Implementation Directorate, Mr Abiot Tsegaye Kibret, while apprising the gathering about the purpose of the meet, said, ‘‘Till date university has been using BSC that was designed at colleges’ director and departmental-level, but heretofore, AMU wants it to be seeped down to an individual level.’’

He further informed that hereafter, each employee will have to sign an agreement with the university to realize its objective. They will have to prepare their weekly work plan that has to be regularly communicated to their respective heads.

And heads in a weekly stock-taking meeting will assess whether things have been achieved as stated in the work plan; if not then what were the lacunae or gaps.

This will enable the university authority to assess whether the performance of an individual is aligned with its strategy. And under the new appraisal system based on BSC, university has evolved a color-band mechanism to evaluate the performance.

On the performance indicator - those falling under ‘yellow’ and ‘white green’ bands would be sent for further training to improve skills. Dark Green indicates, those achieving the target will be rewarded and those failing to achieve will be landed in ‘red’ that will entail punitive measures.

‘‘The objective is to create the culture of weekly planning thus aligning individual goal with university’s ultimate vision. It will also help in striking a balance between tangible and intangible assets.

We are introducing this system that should enable us to see things from four perspective; they are, customer, finance, internal process and learning growth. This system will be put into practice by the respective directorates in collaboration with human resource department; and appraisal will be done half-yearly,’’ he summed up.

The meet was attended by the deans, directors and heads of the respective departments.

By Philips Joseph