Compass Program
2013 Compass work objectives and development plan
To update your 2013 work objectives and development plan, go to MyCareer Online via Staff Online and click on the 'Compass' tab. Enter your work objectives and development plan for 2013 and submit them to your supervisor for approval. If your 2012 objectives are still relevant, you can advance these for 2013. It's important to meet with your supervisor to discuss your objectives.
There are workshops, guides and tutorials to help you complete your Compass objectives and development plan.
Watch this short video on how to complete your work objectives.
The Compass Program [Compass]
UWS recognises the importance of career development and planning for its employees. The University's Career Development Planning and Review process is outlined in the UWS Staff Enterprise Agreements and in the Professional Development Policy.
Your active participation in the Career Development Planning and Review process (Compass) is related to a number of employment benefits and conditions including probation; promotion; academic development leave; study leave; educational allowance; salary increments and recruitment and retention loadings. All ongoing employees and employees on fixed-term contracts for 12 months or more are required to participate in the University's Career Development Planning and Review process.
Compass aims to provide you with the guidance, direction and support to navigate the various career pathways and development opportunities at UWS, and to help with the planning of your work aligned to the UWS Strategy and goals.
Compass uses the MyCareer Online System to help keep your career development and work plans and activities on track and up to date. Compass is about having ongoing discussions with your colleagues and manager about your portfolio activities in Teaching, Research, Administration/Governance and the support and training needed to help you do your job.
What does Compass involve?
Effective performance begins with agreed expectations and standards about your work. Monitoring your work and performance is a cyclic process that ideally aligns to the University's planning cycle.
This performance planning and development cycle involves a number of steps:
- Set your work and development objectives for the year ahead and the standards or measures for success. Objectives should be aligned to the UWS Making the Difference Strategic Plan and your School or Area’s plans and priorities. Find out more about the UWS Planning and Review process.
Identify the key work or performance objectives, the actions needed to achieve them and key performance indicators or measures of success for each of your objectives or for each of your key responsibilities related to your portfolio in teaching, research, engagement and/or administration.
Meet with your Supervisor to discuss your work and development objectives to ensure there is a balance of activities that allow you to pursue your career development goals and that they align with your School or work area plans and priorities. - Create your career development plan by identifying the development goals that will support your professional development and career aspirations and consider the support you might need to reach these goals. Seek support from your Supervisor for undertaking relevant development activities
- Use the MyCareer Online System to track and review your progress throughout the year. Consider the types of evaluation, documentation or evidence that will support your achievements. For Academic Staff, consider peer review and mentoring for your teaching and how you will use, for example, student evaluation of teaching to identify areas of strengths and areas for further development. Consider your research publications, income or grants received, and supervision of HDR students.
- Meet with your Supervisor to discuss your achievements and to gain guidance and feedback on your performance.
2013 Compass deadlines
- Set objectives (due now)
- Career development plan (due now)
- Track progress (throughout year)
- Performance Review
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- 1 November – Performance Review process opens
- 1 February - Escalation of incomplete self reviews to go to supervisor
- 30 April - Performance Reviews for all areas must be complete
Completing your performance review
All ongoing and fixed-term staff on contracts of 12 months or more are required to participate in the performance planning and review process. Staff who are on probation, extended leave, contracts of less than 12 months, casual staff or honorary appointments do not need to take part in the formal review process, however you are encouraged to discuss your work, performance and development needs with your supervisor.
You will receive an email requesting you to complete your review and this will need to be completed within a specified time period to enable your supervisor to complete a review of your performance and to schedule a meeting with you.
For instructions on updating your work and development objectives and completing your performance review, go to the Compass tab in the MyCareer Online System.
MyCareer Online System and Support
The MyCareer Online System enables an annual (and continuous) planning and review process. It allows you to set and monitor your work or performance objectives and development plan and review your objectives on a regular basis and at least annually with your supervisor.
'Getting Started' sessions for teams and first time users of the system are available to introduce you to the career development planning process and the University's MyCareer Online System. You can also do the 'Getting Started with MyCareer Online' module or access the many Quick Guides on Compass.
All employees should also complete the online module 'Introduction to Performance Planning and Career Development'. Go to MyCareer Online to enrol in a range of online learning modules and workshops at UWS.
Helpful Links
Contact Organisational Development for 'Getting Started' sessions and for supervisor training in conducting career development and performance reviews.
Contact your HR Business Partner or Advisor for information about the Career Development Planning and Review process.
Go to the Compass Program under the Compass Tab in the MyCareer Online System for tips on using MyCareer Online.
Check out the UWS Making the Difference Strategy 2010 – 2015.
