If your organization is like most, you've probably been addressing people performance issues in some form for a while. And although some of the measures taken have probably been reasonably effective, room for improvement remains.

The following is a short form for preliminarily determining how a PIP (performance improvement program) could impact your business.

First, ask yourself how important the existing people in your company are to its overall success.

• Can they be easily replaced (i.e. through machines, employee turnover, outsourcing,etc.)?
• If so, at what expense (i.e. time, money, etc.)?
• Is your current (or future) business (plan) conceivable or manageable without staff?
• Can company targets be reached with current staff/performance levels?

This should give you a sense of the priority of human performance issues in your organization.

Secondly, think of measures you've already implemented to improve employee performance, and which have to some degree been successful.

• What was effective?
• What changes occurred?
• How did you notice (record) the changes?

This will give you an idea of which measures your company has experience with, and which may be especially suited to your area of business activity.

Thirdly, think of what changes you'd like to see occur (don't be afraid to reach for the stars), but which have so far eluded your organization. Be as specific as possible.

• What would you like to see more of in your company?
• What would you like to see less of in your company?