The corporate world revolves around one word- productivity. Productivity is the efficiency with which tasks are performed but its benefits are many fold. Employees and the company alike can benefit from the advantages of productivity. No matter who you are and what you do, productivity plays an important part in all our lives. But the question remains- how to measure productivity at work?
How to measure productivity?
Productivity and time efficiency go hand in hand. These two factors, though critical for a company’s success, are highly dependent on its employees. Different people show different levels of productivity and time efficiency. The same measurement methods cannot be applied to all people of a company to know how to measure productivity. Thus all of the below-given methods need to be modified such that they help your company’s goals and your employees:
- Establish a baseline
We must set a baseline of expectations to make sure that the right expectations are communicated. This helps the person understand and plan their tasks in order to surpass that baseline. This baseline could be a number of tasks to be completed or a number of clients to be spoken to, etc. We can set the baseline according to the target of the day for the person.
Deciding on a baseline makes sure that there is proper communication. This ensures that the employees understand the expectations made and can deliver to these with quality work, which is an important tool for productivity. - Determine goals and targets
Establishing a set of short-term and long-term goals for the employees can greatly influence productivity. As one understands their set targets and goals, it is easier to work towards one’s goals. Knowing one’s targets enables the person to plan their time and goals accordingly. Prioritizing one’s tasks also becomes simpler once one has a set of targets to meet and knows how to measure efficiency at work.
We can customize these set targets from person to person. We could do this based on the person’s capabilities or a number of priorities. Hence we can change these targets as a person’s productivity increases. This is another way to know how to measure productivity. - Notice the mitigating circumstances
There will always be certain circumstances that might reduce one’s productivity levels. These factors need to be considered when we measure productivity at work. These factors could depend from person to person and their capabilities to work. Personality traits like patience and time efficiency too often play a key role in these situations. One must take these factors and more into account when measuring productivity and how to measure efficiency at work. A person can consciously work towards improving themselves once these conditions are taken note of. A level of such transparency also allows the person to make a better judgment of their productivity levels at work and helps us know how to measure productivity.
- Request updates every day
Nobody likes to be micromanaged. But a lack of any amount of management can lead to a lost sense of accountability. Lack of accountability inevitably lowers the amount of work done and thus brings down the overall productivity levels. This can also lead to a lack of work ethic in the employees. Add to it the mental strain that may result after the work catches up with the person, which is yet another reason to measure and know how to measure productivity.
Accountability is what keeps productivity levels up. Regular updates about the work done also allow one to customize one’s daily target. These could be such that they are more suited to the person. This also ensures reduced pressure of leftover work on the employee as we understand how to how to measure productivity how to measure efficiency at work. - Utilize motivation
Motivation is necessary to keep productivity at consistent levels. Maintaining a culture in which employees believe that they are essential to the company eventually builds employee morale. A culture that encourages the employees to commit to their personal growth as the company grows with them, builds a healthy attitude.
The company should also ensure that the employees are motivated to take adequate training to achieve their goals. This training could be in the form of internal courses or on-the-job teachings. These all help us grow and measure productivity. Along with proper training, one should also ensure that there is due acknowledgment when employees meet or exceed objectives relating to work. This motivates them to work harder as their productivity too increases.
Know how to measure productivity and achieve your goals
Measuring productivity at work is essential to determine one’s own growth and development. It helps us understand if our methods and targets are working as intended. If measured productivity isn’t up to the mark, we know that we need to change our approach and methods. Thus knowing how to measure productivity is an important factor of increasing productivity.
Efficiency affects productivity positively as high efficiency means tasks are done faster. Hence efficiency should be considered while calculating productivity.
Quite basically, Productivity = total output / total input
Efficiency is important as it saves time, resources as well as efforts while also improving productivity.
High productivity ensures higher work output and thus an increase in sales or revenue.
