Organization and Planning Skills

Meets/Exceeds Expectations

Displays excellent organization and planning skills

Takes a methodical and consistent approach toward organizing her work

Locates back-up information quickly

Plans, organizes, and completes tasks in an acceptable time frame

Readily adheres to deadlines and production benchmarks

Maintains a very neat and well-organized working environment

Will not leave to go home at night unless everything is put away in its place

Develops practical alternatives to various “what if” scenarios

Has created a processing system that allows coworkers to step in during his absence

Demonstrates a well-honed ability to forecast potential problems and pitfalls

Always plans tomorrow’s goals before he leaves the office

Consistently relies on a PDA to keep fully informed of her calendar

Manages multiple tasks effectively

Documents repetitive tasks

Files documents immediately upon receipt

Is very effective in anticipating bottlenecks

Duly considers the possible outcomes of a particular course of action

Proposes strategies and tactics that are concrete and definitive

Anticipates potential areas of growth for our core product lines

Is highly proficient in anticipating resource needs

Always creates various “what if” scenarios to counter contingencies

Prepares her assignments in a systematic and orderly fashion

Never appears to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work

Needs Improvement

Has difficulty planning a course of action without specific instruction

Does not plan ahead

Fails to head off minor problems before they become major impediments

Does not communicate when he requires additional support or assistance

Has difficulty translating theoretical ideas into tactical action plans

Demonstrates a reactive, “management by crisis” style

Has difficulty keeping two steps ahead of his current project load

Gets lost in a myriad of details

Quickly loses sight of the bigger picture

Does not consistently tie up loose ends and wrap up projects cleanly

Fails to plan for and follow through with detail work

Consistently fails to plan for the unexpected

Does not make contingency plans should initial assumptions prove wrong

Tends to over-commit her time

Is inconsistent in tracking incoming statements and records

Fails to consult with other stakeholders when planning a large-scale project

Does not conduct proper needs assessments in the preplanning stage

Appears overwhelmed and disorganized despite years of tenure in this role

Organization and Planning Goals

Plan your work and work your plan

Become a more effective goal setter

Prepare contingency and alternative plans

Understand and implement the key benefits of organization and planning

Identify and address organizational needs

Rely on a daily planner to block periods of time for particular tasks

Do not over-commit your time or resources

Ensure that you don’t allow last-minute interruptions to get in your way

Automate several of the paper-intensive tasks on your desk

Strengthen your forecasting ability

Maintain a workspace that is free and clear of clutter

Dedicate one hour per week to thinning the outstanding reports on your desk

Plan for the appropriate level of resources when undertaking a new project

Avoid scheduling conflicts

Focus on both short- and long-term plans

Don’t get discouraged by unexpected delays

Establish both strategic and tactical planning goals

Translate goals into concrete action plans

Always plan for the unexpected