Let's assume your work is carefully planned.

• You've identified work objectives and priorities.
• You've scheduled your time.
• You have contingency plans to deal with a range of potential problems.

Monitoring, appraisal, assessment - whatever you want to call it - is often seen in a negative light. However the emphasis here is on self monitoring and its possible benefits. Write down any benefits you can think of, then see what the 'Business advisor' thinks.

Case study Angela works as an editor in a small publishing company. By accurately tracking how she has spent her work over the last two months, she can show that 60% of her time is spent on routine clerical tasks. Her publishing editing skills are being underused. Her manager is surprised and rather than take on another editor to deal with the growing workload, he decides to hire someone to handle the clerical work.

Both Angela and her employer benefit here.

• Angela will be using her skills more fully. Her job satisfaction will increase and it may well improve her salary and career prospects.
• Her employer benefits by taking on someone at a lower salary and by having a more satisfied person in the team.

You may now like to try the practical activity 'Forms of assessment' to test your understanding.

You can also try the 'Self test' to check your knowledge of this topic before you begin.

Choose from the options on the left to find out more about monitoring your own work performance.