CSE Performance Management Process

A strong performance management practice is an important part of recruiting, retaining, and engaging talent, as well as meeting the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) strategic goals. CSE uses a simple performance management process for staff. The performance management process begins with goal setting and ends with an annual review.

This process and Performance Appraisal Tool (PAT) is required for all CSE Civil Service reviews, and CSE strongly encourages its use for Bargaining Unit and P&A employee groups. The 2023-24 review cycle covers the period from March 1, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2024.

How it works

What makes this simplified performance management practice different from the previous performance management practice is the emphasis on the regular check-in conversations between supervisors and their staff to discuss development and offer feedback. These conversations are key to driving performance, developing skills and abilities, and building relationships.

At the end of the performance year employees and supervisors will each have an opportunity to provide a brief summary of the employee's development conversations from the year in the PAT. Then the supervisor will evaluate staff performance using a three-point scale.

Performance Appraisal Tool (PAT)

CSE has adopted the University's Performance Appraisal Tool (PAT), a secure online performance evaluation tool that supports supervisors and staff in a simplified and meaningful performance management process. PAT is essentially a hub for goals, notes from check-in conversations, and the performance evaluation forms. 

Resources for employees and supervisors

Are you a supervisor and need to know how to use the University's PAT?

• Check out the PAT Supervisor's Guide to Navigating the System (PDF).
• Enroll in the the Managing and Evaluating Performance (LTD102) course.

Do you want to create or revise goals to continue advancing your top priorities?

• Check out a Quick Guide to Goal Setting (PDF).
• Watch the Setting Effective Goals video (11:24).
• Use the Goal Setting template (DOC).

Do you want to engage in meaningful conversations to enable high-quality performance and goal progress?

• Check out a Quick Guide to Ongoing Check-Ins (PDF) to learn strategies for having meaningful conversations.
• Watch the video about Conducting Ongoing Check-ins (9:48) for examples and additional insights.

Do you want to give effective feedback to enhance performance and accelerate development?

• Check out a Quick Guide to Feedback (PDF).
• Watch the video Feedback: Ready, Set, Go! (4:07).

Do you need to have a conversation to provide some difficult performance feedback?

• Check out a Quick Guide to Navigating Difficult Performance Conversations (PDF) to learn strategies to effectively conduct this conversation.
• Watch the video Navigating Difficult Conversations (6:34) to learn more.

Supervisory Development Options

Want to learn more? The Supervisory Development Program offers flexible online leadership education for faculty and staff who supervise the work of others. The program has multiple options:

• New Supervisor Orientation – designed to support new supervisors in understanding what it means to supervise at the University of Minnesota and to build skills to lead and manage their direct reports effectively.
• Supervisory Foundations – covers top skills such as feedback and coaching, selection and hiring, managing and evaluating performance, managing conflict, leading teams, employee engagement, onboarding, and driving results through others. Supervisors can choose to:
  • Browse the online modules,
  • Partake in self-paced certificate option, or
  • Apply for a more involved 12-week facilitated experience.