The total performance management: a holistic perspective

A unique feature of modern business is a persistent focus on measurable performance. As a result, performance management has become a distinct field of study, research and practice in business and management. However, in our contemporary corporate environment with many contending factors like productivity, quality, ethics, values, social responsibility and sustainability, even to define the basis or standard of performance is not easy and to measure it is still more difficult. Performance can be viewed in terms of short-term target or long-term effectiveness. If we opt for the long term view, then we have to take into consideration subjective, psychological factors like ethics and values, which are difficult to measure in quantitative terms. Another major lacuna in most of the current discussions on performance management is that, it is mostly focused on measurement and appraisal. However, in a more holistic perspective, the process which leads to the desired performance should also be included as a part of performance management. Finally, performance management system must include not only individual performance, but also organisational goals. This article is an attempt to arrive at a holistic approach to performance management, which takes an integral view of the total process that leads to the desired performance.