Sawtek Implements Year Round Performance
Management Process

Founded in 1979, Sawtek Incorporated manufactures surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices for both low- and high-volume programs in communications, cellular, modem, wireless data transmission, radar, electronic warfare, television, security systems, and other signal processing applications.

In its bid to remain the leading supplier of both military and commercial high-performance SAW components, Sawtek decided to overhaul its performance management process. In 1997, Human Resources Manager Sherri Walls became the key force behind implementing a new performance management system for the 415 employees and 40 supervisors and managers at Sawtek's Orlando, Florida location.

Another problem with Sawtek's prior system was a lack of consistency in the ratings and language managers used to describe employee performance. The legality of managers' written comments was also of concern, so the HR department spent a lot of time double checking completed performance reviews for accuracy and legal risk. Ultimately, Sawtek's prior system failed to provide a means for HR to efficiently manage the review process.

According to Walls, "Critical factors for us were ease of use, an ability to completely customize forms to meet our needs, and to have a product that was 'forward thinking' in its structure - like how it tied in competencies, legal language, and documentation."

After carefully evaluating a number of software products, the task force decided on Administaff's Performance Now Enterprise Edition. "With Performance Now," explains Walls, "we could create our own reviews, install the software on our network, import data from our existing HRIS system, track daily performance in the employee log, move log data easily into the appraisals, and create more consistent reviews."

Another feature that appealed to Sawtek's task force was Performance Now's Language Checker - "a big plus!" With the touch of a button, managers can double-check each review from a legal perspective. The Language Checker highlights words that may be legally sensitive or inappropriate (such as "Hispanic" or "old"), explains the legal considerations, and offers alternative wording suggestions.

Sawtek's HR staff learned about the software through demonstrations provided by KnowledgePoint, and Walls provided managers with a 30-minute training session. Within 60 days, Sawtek was ready to roll out Performance Now.

After completing a successful implementation, Sawtek agreed to provide KnowledgePoint with input during the development of an add-on module for Performance Now designed specifically for manufacturers. The Manufacturing Competency Module contains a library of performance competencies and rating language that reflects the work performed in manufacturing environments.

"Now, with the Manufacturing Module," says Walls, "Administaff's system provides complete coverage for our production workers as well."

"We've finally made the big leap from having performance management be a once-a-year task to an ongoing process," says Walls. "Communication has improved. Mid-year feedback includes positive feedback, instead of just disciplinary action. Managers can track what's going on all year round and use that information to write better reviews." And since performance reviews are based on consistent rating criteria that can be automatically tabulated, HR is no longer burdened with double-checking math and language.

When asked what advice she might have for organizations considering Performance Now, Walls says, "Do it! Beyond that, be sure to involve your managers and employees throughout the entire process.