Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

31160.5.2 Critical Elements

• The critical element of a work plan is one of such importance that accomplishment of it is essential to the work unit’s mission.

  • Criteria

    • Each manager’s work plan shall contain at least three critical elements. The DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) recommends that no more than seven critical elements be developed.

    • Critical elements should represent the main thrust of the manager’s position and meet the following criteria:

      • Give a precise definition of the expected accomplishment.

      • Be Challenging, attainable and within the manager’s control

      • Be clearly stated in terms of needs, specific results, and time periods for each critical element.

      • Be subject to reliable periodic measurement that the projected effort is on course and on time.

    • Critical elements must have “milestones” that can be measured each quarter. This will enhance the review and rating process as well as point out needed modifications to the work plan. Example, “…complete an on site audit of each institution’s appeal procedure for compliance with policies, procedures, at the rate of three institutions per quarter, with a report on the first three institutions due September 30, 1991.” Managers are encouraged to develop critical elements that will span the entire 12-month period to provide a better basis for evaluation. Each work plan should include a minimum of one critical element that expires in June. Work plans whose critical elements are all scheduled for completion prior to June do not allow for complete quarterly evaluations and ratings.