Goal Setting for Performance Reviews

This process is used for Staff only and outlines the processes of performance management, specifically goal setting within Workday. These tools facilitate a collaboration between an employee and manager to document performance, track goals, provide feedback, and support growth.

• Faculty do not complete performance assessments in Workday or through a process initiated by Human Resources.
• Local 70 bargaining unit staff members complete a different review process.

• Complete the Goal Setting Task
• Manage Goals throughout the Performance Year

Overview

The Performance Review Cycle

The performance review process in Workday is designed to be a record of your accomplishments and areas for development over a specific period, in three phases:

• Goal Setting
• Mid-year Review
• Year End Review

In Workday, each phase of the performance review cycle will feed into the next phase. The goals you set in the Goal Setting phase will automatically be included in the mid-year review and the year end review. The comments you add during the mid-year review will automatically be added to the year-end review. This means everything will be saved in one document and will be accessible at any time via Workday.

Types of Goals

The goal setting process includes two different types of goals:

1. Performance Goals are tied to specific elements of the employee’s role and/or work
2. Developmental Goals are focus on building “soft skills” or learning something new that helps employees in their current or a desired future role. Development goals will not factor into final performance rating decisions.

Before Starting this Task

Before creating a goal, have the following information in mind:

• Review the SMART Goal Guide. This guide can be found on the HR Training and Development website as well.
• Review the recorded training on staff goal-setting in Workday’s Learning and Training Hub.

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Complete the Goal Setting Task

1. Open your goal setting task. You can access the task by navigating to My Tasks (the drawer looking icon) in the upper right hand corner of the home page and finding the tasked labeled Set Content: 2026-2027 Goal Setting.
   • Alternative navigation
     • Use the link included in the Workday email titled A Task Awaits You: Set Review Content for Performance Review – 2026-2027 Goal Setting
     • Navigate to your personal profile page via your picture in the upper right of any Workday page and selecting View Profile. Select the Performance tab from the menu on your profile page, then select the Performance Review sub-tab.
2. Select Get Started using the big blue button at the bottom of the task details. This will bring you to a new screen with the goal setting document.
3. Select Add using the big white button and enter goal details. To add a goal
   • Enter a descriptive name in the Goal field.
   • Provide more detail in the Description field.
   • Select a Status to reflect any current progress.
   • Select a Category for your goal. You may make more than one selection.
4. Repeat step 3 until all your goals have been entered or you would like to save your progress.
5. Select Next using the big blue button at the bottom of the screen to review everything you entered.
6. Select Save for Later if you would like to come back and edit your goals or select Submit to share your goals with your manager. Your manager cannot see your draft goals until you submit.

What Happens Next

Once you have submitted your goals, they will become visible to your manager and they will be notified. Your manager will review your goals to help finalize them and then approve the goals completing this Goal Setting task.

Your active goals will be automatically included in your performance reviews, allowing you and your manager to track and discuss your progress.

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Manage Goals throughout the Performance Year

Employees can add or edit their individual goals at any time. These goals will automatically be included in future steps of the review process as long as they meet the following criteria:

• The designated due date is within the review time period (June 1-May 31)
• The goal has a status of Not Started, In-progress, or Complete.

To access your goals at any time navigate to your personal profile page via your picture in the upper right of any Workday page and selecting View Profile. Select the Performance tab from the menu on your profile page, then select the Performance Review sub-tab.

Add a Goal

1. Select the Create Goal button.
2. Enter a descriptive name in the Goal field.
3. Provide more detail in the Description field.
4. Select a Status to reflect any current progress.
5. Select a Category for your goal. You may make more than one selection.
6. Select Submit. The goal may be sent to your manager for approval.

Edit a Goal

1. From the Goals tab, find the goal you wish to modify and select Edit Goal.
2. Update the Status to reflect your progress (e.g., In Progress, Complete, etc.).
3. You can also modify the description, add milestones, or change the due date.
4. Select Submit to save your changes.

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