Hats off to author Richard A. Swanson for writing clearly, interestingly and compellingly on the subject of creating effective programs to improve workplace performance. He champions approaching this task with up-front analysis based on systems theory. Since he criticizes ordinary management for not understanding this problem and for not knowing the methods that can be used to resolve it, getAbstract recommends this book not only to Human Resources professionals, but also to managers and executives in all industries. If you want employee performance to improve, upgrade your understanding of how to make it so.

Analysis for Improving Performance provides the tools for doing the crucial -yet often overlooked-upfront analysis essential to the success of any performance improvement effort. Human resource development expert Richard A. Swanson's step by step method allows program developers and managers to: * Assess an organisation's real business needs and the status of its supporting systems * Analyse necessary worker skills, knowledge and attitudes * Specify performance requirements and evaluation standards * Produce a viable and comprehensive performance improvement design Tools for diagnosing organisations & documenting workplace expertise.

Imagine your best possible organization: a place where people strive for continuous improvement, communicate clearly and honestly, freely share information, respect their colleagues and leaders, make a difference -- and achieve truly extraordinary levels of performance, even in tough times. Using this book's powerful Work/Life Approach, you can build that organization. World-renowned performance consultants Dr. Gene Fusch and Richard Gillespie offer a step-by-step blueprint for developing a true performance culture, where people bring a relentless focus and selfless collaboration to bear on the organization's most fundamental goals. A Practical Approach to Performance Interventions and Analysis walks through every step of the process: analyzing business problems, identifying performance gaps, selecting the best interventions, measuring results, and more. You'll learn how to integrate your organization's goals with the beliefs and needs of your people; foster unity without conformity, and diversity without division; how to overcome the fear and distrust that makes organizations dysfunctional; and how to build an organization where everyone really takes ownership of their "fraction of the action." Along the way, they present 50 dynamic models that tightly connect theory to real-world business practice, are ROI-driven, are fully measurable, and can be utilized by all leaders and practitioners in HR, organizational development, and training. With their guidance, you can choose and execute the performance initiatives that deliver the greatest positive impact on culture, business metrics, and the lives of all your people.

Corporations spend millions of dollars on performance improvement, employee training and development, work system redesign, and other organizational improvement efforts. Much of this money is wasted because the preliminary analysis and diagnosis has not been done to link these programs to an organization's real business needs, goals, and processes. The truth is that in order for any performance improvement effort to add value to the organization, deep analysis is required. Analysis for Improving Performance details a systematic approach for doing the rigorous preparatory analysis that is vital to shaping and developing successful performance improvement efforts. Richard A. Swanson's methods enable program developers and managers to define clear objectives, assess existing systems and missions, analyze worker knowledge and expertise, define desired performance and evaluation standards, and develop a performance improvement plan that will meet the desired performance goals. This new edition has been extensively revised throughout and presents expanded concepts and updated cases, as well as a new chapter on documenting and improving work processes and documenting process-referenced tasks. Written for take-charge managers, performance improvement specialists, and workers wanting to improve their organizations, Analysis for Improving Performance provides “real-world” knowledge, tools, examples, graphics, and exercises aimed at developing your expertise in diagnosing organizational performance and documenting workplace expertise—the keys to long-term organizational success. In short, it is a complete guide to ensuring that the time, money, and effort you invest in organizational development are well spent.