The Investors in People Standard

Planning

An Investor in People is clear about its aims and its objectives and what its people need to do to achieve them

Indicator

Evidence

5 The organisation has a plan with clear aims and objectives which are understood by everyone

The organisation has a plan with clear aims and objectives

People can consistently explain the aims and objectives of the organisation at a level appropriate to their role

Representative groups are consulted about the organisation’s aims and objectiveste

What this means in practice

The most successful organisations make sure their people know where the organisation is going and why. They give them some sort of plan that defines this and gives them clear aims and objectives.

This indicator test whether you have such a plan and whether everyone understands it.

To meet it, you need to have a plan that defines your aims and objectives clearly and says what actions you will take to achieve them. Most organisations have a written plan to do this, but it is not compulsory.

Your people must understand your aims and objectives to a degree of detail appropriate to their role.

When you discuss what your aims and objectives are, you must involve groups such as trade unions, staff associations, works councils and partnership councils, if they exist.

Indicator

Evidence

6 The development of people is in line with the organisation’s aims and objectives

The organisation has clear priorities which link the development of people to its aims and objectives at organisation, team and individual level

People clearly understand what their development activities should achieve, both for them and the organisation

What this means in practice

To get the best result from your investment in the development of people, you need to ensure that it is clearly linked to your organisation's aims and objectives.

This indicator measures how closely you link the development of your people to your organisation's aims and objectives.

To meet it, you need to show that all your development activities are aimed at helping individuals and teams to help your organisation achieve its aims and objectives.

People need to be able to describe how their development helps them to contribute to your organisation's aims and objectives.

Indicator

Evidence

7 People understand how they contribute to achieving the organisation’s aims and objectives

People can explain how they contribute to achieving the organisation’s aims and objectives

What this means in practice

Your people need to understand where you want to be, but they must also understand what they need to do to help you get there.

This indicator test whether people understand how they help your organisation to meet its aims and objectives.

To meet it, your people need to describe how their day-to-day activities help your organisation to achieve its aims and objectives.