What are the most important skills for a project team manager to evaluate team performance?

1 Skill 1: Setting clear and SMART goals

The first skill you need to evaluate your team's performance is to set clear and SMART goals for each project and each team member. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By defining SMART goals, you can communicate your expectations clearly, track progress and results, and align your team's efforts with the project's objectives. SMART goals also help you to avoid ambiguity, confusion, and conflicts when evaluating your team's performance.

3 Skill 3: Giving timely and constructive feedback

The third skill you need to evaluate your team's performance is to give timely and constructive feedback that helps them learn and grow. Feedback is the process of providing positive or negative information about your team's performance, behavior, or attitude. You should give feedback as soon as possible after observing or measuring your team's performance, and make it specific, actionable, and balanced. You should also encourage your team to give feedback to each other and to you, and create a culture of openness and trust.

4 Skill 4: Using multiple sources of data

The fourth skill you need to evaluate your team's performance is to use multiple sources of data to get a comprehensive and objective view of their work. Data can come from different sources, such as your own observations, performance indicators, feedback from customers, stakeholders, or peers, or self-assessments from your team members. By using multiple sources of data, you can avoid bias, verify accuracy, and gain different perspectives on your team's performance. You can also use data to support your feedback and decisions, and to show your team the evidence of their achievements or challenges.

5 Skill 5: Conducting regular and structured reviews

The fifth skill you need to evaluate your team's performance is to conduct regular and structured reviews that summarize and discuss their work outcomes and progress. Reviews are formal or informal meetings where you and your team review the performance indicators, feedback, and data, and evaluate how well they are meeting the SMART goals. You should conduct reviews at least once per project cycle, or more frequently depending on the project's complexity and duration. You should also prepare an agenda, a report, and a rating system for each review, and involve your team in the evaluation process.

6 Skill 6: Developing action plans and follow-ups

The sixth skill you need to evaluate your team's performance is to develop action plans and follow-ups that help them improve and achieve their goals. Action plans are specific and realistic steps that your team should take to address the gaps, issues, or opportunities identified in the reviews. Follow-ups are regular check-ins where you and your team monitor and update the action plans, and track the results and impact. You should collaborate with your team to create and implement the action plans and follow-ups, and provide them with the necessary support, resources, and recognition.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?