Development of a Performance Management Tool for Patterson Grade B1-B3 employees at a minerals processing plant

Abstract

In this research a Performance Management Tool (PMT) has been developed from literature (primarily based on Locke and Latham's Goal-setting Theory) to assist supervisors in managing the performance of their lower level subordinates (Patterson Grade B1-B3) at a minerals processing plant. In the paper the PMT is presented as a deliverable in the form of a step-by-step guide to implementation, also allowing for deployment in various other industries. Following development the PMT was tested at the specific plant across four shifts working a rotation cycle and involved a comparison of pre- and post-implementation performance. Although the PMT could not be tested to its full design, implementation did result in significant performance improvements in various positions. According to anonymous surveys conducted it was found that the PMT was easy to use and both the supervisors and employees were in favour of permanent implementation.