MRPBS Publications - Human Resources Desk Guide

Subchapter 4430
Performance Management
Section B - Developing Performance Plans

• Introduction  
• Forms
• Importance of Communication
• Performance Cycle/Timeframes
• Requirements for All Employees
• Additional Requirements for Supervisory Employees
• Additional Requirements Regarding Safety & Health, PII, and Feedback

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Introduction

This section provides instructions for creating performance plans for employees, including:

• Required forms,
• Timeframes, and
• Performance plan requirements

Forms

Performance plans are documented on USDA Performance Appraisal forms: 

• Form AD435 (PDF) is used to record individual and work unit information, as well as a listing of all the performance elements.  This form is also used to calculate the summary rating at the end of the performance cycle, and to record employee, supervisor, and reviewing official signatures.
• Form AD435A (PDF) is used to record the first element and the associated performance standards. This form is also used to document the completion of the mid-year progress review.
• Form AD435B (PDF) is used for remaining performance elements and performance standards. Use an additional Form AD435B if you need more space for any additional performance elements and standards. 

Importance of Communication

Establishing effective performance plans requires communication between the supervisor and the employee.  The supervisor is expected to involve employees in the development of their performance plans, i.e. participation in standards development or commenting on draft plans, etc.  While employees should be given an opportunity to comment and make suggestions on their performance plan, the final authority and responsibility for establishing performance plans rests with the supervisor.

Performance Cycle/Timeframes

USDA’s performance appraisal cycle begins October 1 and ends September 30 of each year.  The supervisor is required to provide each employee a performance plan within 30 days after the beginning of any of the following:  

• the start of the performance cycle;
• when a new employee reports for duty; and/or
• when an employee is assigned to a different position with substantially different duties (for example - a detail or temporary promotion for more  than 120 days, a promotion, or reassignment).
  

Requirements for All Employees

The following table provides performance plan requirements for all non-supervisory employees.  Additional requirements for supervisors and for employees with safety and health and personally identifiable information (PII) responsibilities are described later in this section. 

Additional Requirements for Supervisory Employees

Supervisory performance plans must contain appropriate measures for hiring reform, performance management accountability, cultural transformation and for obtaining and utilizing employee and/or customer feedback.  Required text for hiring reform, performance management accountability, and cultural transformation and examples for utilizing employee and customer feedback are incorporated in the following mandatory critical elements:

Note:  The RM/HRM/SML elements and standards should not be edited as they contain material required by OPM, USDA Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) and the USDA Performance Management Regulation.

Additional Requirements Regarding Safety & Health, PII, and Feedback

A performance element incorporating safety and health or responsibility for personally identifiable information (PII) is required for employees with those work assignments.  The performance standard also should reflect the desired results and outcomes.