From antiquated to automated: How tech is reshaping performance management

Performance reviews, long the backbone of performance management, are shifting. They're becoming more frequent and more flexible, and that shift is in no small part thanks to technology. But this also means that employers have a lot of options from which to choose. The key, experts say, is careful evaluation and thoughtful implementation. Keeping up with the shift Performance reviews are becoming more frequent, more informal and more forward-looking, in response to both employer and employee demands. Immediate and frequent feedback often tops the list of things workers want. Many employers today are responding by providing feedback informally on an ongoing basis, and, for formal discussions, on a more frequent basis. That's where tech comes in. "Traditional annual performance reviews can be uncomfortable, especially when the employee-manager relationship doesn't include regular feedback and/or overall communication is weak," Cord Himelstein, vice president of marketing for HALO recognition, told HR Dive via email. "Today, many technology systems are designed to offer more frequent feedback." Mischa Riedo, co-founder of QuercusApp, agreed. "Exchanging feedback throughout the organization and in real-time is easier with technology," he said. "I can ask multiple colleagues for feedback on a specific project with a single click and have access to that feedback forever. That makes it much easier to receive feedback that is specific, timely, and actionable."