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Performance Management Resources

This guide provides resources for State of Colorado managers and employees to embed Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) initiatives into their performance management processes. This resource guide was developed in alignment with the COWINS Partnership Agreement.  

What is performance management?

Performance management is an ongoing, strategic process in which organizations continuously:

  • Set clear goals
  • Monitor employee performance
  • Provide regular feedback and development opportunities
  • Conduct evaluations to align individual and team efforts with overall organizational objectives

This process aims to boost productivity, foster employee engagement, and improve overall company success by establishing clear expectations and supporting employee growth. 

How do I ensure my performance reviews are fair and equitable?

Mitigating bias is essential. Bias in performance management occurs when unconscious attitudes, stereotypes, or cognitive shortcuts distort the evaluation of an employee’s contributions, effectiveness, or overall outcomes, leading to inconsistent, inequitable, or inaccurate performance assessments.

Bias can creep in at every stage of performance management—from goal setting to feedback, evaluations, and promotion decisions. It can even shape how we perceive employees. Evaluators must challenge their assumptions and address structural defaults to ensure assessments reflect actual contributions, not stereotypes or cultural biases. 

How do I support EDIA professional development goals?

Do you have employees interested in EDIA work? Or is that employee you? There are so many ways to get involved!

  • Get certified
    Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility Training and Certifications List
     
  • Attend employee resource group meetings 
    Reach out to your HR department for a list of possible opportunities, or start your own with the Guidance on Creating and Managing State of Colorado Employee Resource Groups and EDIA-Related Committees
     
  • Check out the monthly lunch and learns
    Reach out to dpa_statewideequityoffice@state.co.us to register for the monthly Statewide Equity Office lunch and learns
     
  • Connect with the community
    Attend or volunteer at a community engagement event, the Statewide Equity Office has a comprehensive calendar available
     
  • Join a Statewide Community of Practice
    Apply today to join a Statewide Community of Practice and work with community members of lived and professional experience
     
  • Take training through the State of Colorado LXP
    • Avoid Perfectionism as a Manager
    • Change Your Management Practices to Be Inclusive
    • Develop High-Potential Employees
    • Help Employees Navigate Feedback
    • How Cognitive Bias Affects Decision-Making
    • How Do You Strengthen Your Social Management?
    • How Do You Strengthen Your Self-Management?
    • Identify High-Potential Employees
    • Impact of Bias on Decision Making
    • Manage Across Lines of Difference
    • Manage a Multicultural Team
    • Manage Employees from Different Generations
    • Mitigate Cognitive Bias
    • Overcome Personal Bias Around Disability
    • Practice Inclusion Through Collaboration
    • Provide Feedback to Protégé
    • Recognize Bias in Recruitment
    • Sponsorship for High-Potential Employees (Microlearning Sequence)
    • Stop Microaggressions Before They Start
    • Tackling Race Bias at Work: Managers' Guide
    • Tackling Gender Bias: Micro-Course
    • The Science of Bias
    • What Does Strong Self-Awareness Look Like?
    • Why Trust Matters for Managers

Questions

For questions or additional support, agencies may contact the Statewide Equity Office directly (dpa_StatewideEquityOffice@state.co.us).