Creating a company-wide, on-line, performance management system: A case study at TRW Inc.

When new company leadership took the helm in 2001, TRW sought to create systems that supported what was, in essence, a cultural revolution—a new culture driven by six company-wide “Behaviors.” Impeding this revolution, however, were the countless systems and methods for evaluating and managing the development of TRW's nearly 100,000 employees. The senior Management Committee challenged TRW's human resources function to create a common, on-line, company-wide system that supports performance appraisal, professional development, and succession management. A cross-disciplinary and cross-business team led by the Director of Leadership Development created a uniform Web-based system in four short months. This system is now in place company-wide in 36 countries on five continents. The approach we took and the success we have enjoyed can be replicated by other organizations seeking a uniform and effective way to evaluate and develop employees. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.