Describe a staff performance issue you’ve observed or experienced or write a hypothetical
scenario of a staff performance issue in the workplace. Include contextual information,
including the setting, relevant relationships between individuals in the scenario/situation,
and environmental variables that will help inform your PDC-HS process later.
- Pinpoint Slide:
- Pinpoint the staff behavior of interest for increase or decrease. Ensure that your definition
follows all the requirements of a high-quality pinpoint (measurable, observable, passes the
“dead person’s” test, not a non-behavior, etc.) Please review content in Module 3 for a
refresher on appropriate pinpoints.
- PDC-HS Slides (x4):
- Conduct a mock PDC-HS related to your scenario and briefly describe your findings for each
section on separate slides. You should have a slide each for:
o Training
o Task Clarification and Prompting
o Resources, Materials, & Processes
o Performance Consequences, Effort, and Competition
Full Answer Section
PDC-HS Analysis:
Training:
-
Findings: Emily has received basic training on report writing and the agency's project management system. However, she may benefit from further training on time management strategies and utilizing the reporting system effectively.
-
Recommendation: Implement a short training session focused on time management and the importance of accurate and timely reporting for project success. Provide Emily with a personalized guide outlining the steps involved in completing the reports.
Task Clarification and Prompting:
-
Findings: The weekly progress reports are clear in terms of expectations and format. However, Emily may benefit from a reminder about the reporting deadline and the importance of staying on top of deadlines.
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Recommendation: Send Emily a weekly email reminder about the progress report deadline and provide clear instructions for completing the report. Schedule a brief one-on-one meeting with Emily before each report deadline to ensure she is on track and to offer support.
Resources, Materials, and Processes:
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Findings: The agency provides adequate resources for report writing, including a project management system and templates. However, Emily may struggle with accessing and utilizing these resources effectively.
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Recommendation: Review with Emily the available resources and ensure she knows how to access and utilize them. Consider using visual aids or checklists to simplify the process.
Performance Consequences, Effort, and Competition:
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Findings: Emily is aware that missing deadlines and incomplete reports can impact the team's efficiency and project success. However, she may not fully grasp the consequences of her actions.
-
Recommendation: Clearly communicate the impact of late reports on the team and the project, emphasizing the importance of individual accountability. Consider setting up a system of positive reinforcement for timely report submissions, such as a small bonus or recognition in the team meeting.
Overall:
This analysis suggests that Emily's performance issue likely stems from a combination of factors including time management skills, resource utilization, and a lack of understanding of the consequences of her actions. Addressing these issues through training, task clarification, resource support, and performance management strategies can help Emily improve her performance and contribute effectively to the team.
Sample Answer
Scenario: The Missing Reports
Setting: A small marketing agency with a team of 5 employees, including a manager (Sarah), a senior designer (David), and three junior designers (Emily, Michael, and Alex). The agency is working on a high-profile client project with a tight deadline.
Relationships: Sarah is well-respected by her team and values open communication. David is experienced and a good team player, but occasionally becomes frustrated with the junior designers' pace. Emily is a hard worker but struggles with meeting deadlines and often forgets to submit reports. Michael is reliable and efficient. Alex is a fast learner but sometimes lacks attention to detail.
Environmental Variables: The project is high-pressure, with a demanding client and a tight budget. The team is experiencing a high workload and is under pressure to deliver high-quality work on time.
Pinpoint:
Behavior: Emily fails to submit weekly progress reports on time and consistently misses deadlines for assigned tasks.
Definition: "Emily submits her weekly progress report after the designated deadline, defined as 5:00 PM on Fridays, for at least 3 out of 5 consecutive weeks."