As organizations prepare for a new financial year, managers across different departments start setting goals for their teams. These goals help managers meet their own objectives and typically follow the SMART framework, ensuring they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
While setting clear and relevant goals is important, what truly matters is how these goals are managed throughout the year. Many managers either fail to review progress regularly or treat goal tracking as a simple box-checking task. This often happens because traditional reporting tools do not provide the necessary level of detail.
Even worse, poorly coordinated goals can create conflicts between departments. Here are three real-world examples of how this can happen:
Finance vs. Sales – A finance team was given a goal to reduce aged debt, so they increased the strictness of credit checks, allowing only the most financially secure clients to sign up. At the same time, the sales team was tasked with increasing the customer base. As a result, salespeople worked hard to attract new customers, only for them to be rejected by finance. This led to frustration and a lack of alignment between teams.
Marketing vs. Technology – A marketing team for a multimedia company was encouraged to increase customer engagement by offering free access during peak and off-peak hours. While this campaign attracted many new users, the technology team struggled to keep the network running smoothly due to congestion. Their goal was to maintain high service quality, but marketing’s strategy made it difficult to achieve.
Engineering vs. Production – In a 24-hour food processing plant, engineers were tasked with performing regular machine maintenance, which required shutting down production temporarily. However, the production team’s goal was to maximize output, so they resisted these shutdowns. This created tension between the two departments.
The Golden Thread: A Solution for Alignment
A strategy known as “The Golden Thread” helps organizations connect their goals, values, vision, and culture to daily operations. This ensures that all departments work together toward a common objective instead of competing with each other.
A great example of this comes from a story about President John F. Kennedy’s visit to NASA in 1962. During the visit, he met a janitor and asked what his job was. The janitor responded, “I am helping put a man on the moon.” This response shows that he understood how his work contributed to the organization’s overall mission.
By using the Golden Thread approach, organizations can ensure that every employee, regardless of their role, understands how their work fits into the bigger picture. This can be achieved through:
- Connecting people and functions – All employees see how their tasks contribute to organizational success.
- Creating a shared understanding – Everyone understands the organization’s goals, vision, and values.
- A single reporting platform – Using a centralized performance reporting system ensures transparency and accountability.
- Fostering alignment – Departments work toward a common goal rather than against each other.
How HRIS Can Help Manage Goal Tracking and Performance
Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) play a crucial role in implementing the Golden Thread methodology. These systems can help organizations track performance, align team goals, and provide real-time insights. Here is how HRIS can help:
Automated Goal Setting and Tracking – HRIS allows managers to set clear goals for individuals and teams. Employees can track their progress in real-time, ensuring they stay on target throughout the year.
Performance Dashboards – With an HRIS, managers and employees can view performance metrics on a centralized dashboard. This makes it easy to identify areas of improvement and ensure alignment with company-wide objectives.
Regular Check-Ins and Feedback – Instead of waiting for annual reviews, HRIS enables managers to schedule regular performance check-ins. This ensures employees receive timely feedback and stay on track.
Cross-Department Collaboration – HRIS can help different departments see how their goals impact one another. For example, if the finance team’s goal conflicts with sales, HRIS can highlight this issue early, allowing leadership to adjust strategies accordingly.
Employee Recognition and Engagement – HRIS can be used to acknowledge achievements, celebrate progress, and boost employee motivation. Recognizing employees for their contributions helps create a positive work environment and keeps teams engaged.
Conclusion
Setting goals is essential, but managing them effectively is just as important. By using the Golden Thread approach and leveraging HRIS, organizations can ensure that all teams are working together toward a shared vision. This not only improves efficiency but also helps create a more engaged and motivated workforce.
With the right strategy and tools in place, organizations can transform goal setting from a frustrating exercise into a powerful driver of success.
If you need help implementing HRIS or aligning your team’s goals, reach out to Sperto Consulting. Our experts can guide you through the process and help you create a high-performing, goal-oriented workplace. Contact us today to get started!