Investigation into the implementation of perfomance management system in the Lesotho public service

Abstract

This study adopted a qualitative research in investigating the implementation of a performance management system by the Lesotho’s Ministry of Public Service. Recommendations made in this study are meant to indicate challenges and prospects for the Performance Management System Policy (PMSP). In this study a sample of senior managers that were randomly selected from seven ministries responded to a questionnaire. The questionnaire entailed open ended questions to probe respondents to give their personal opinion on the current performance management system. Focus group discussions were also held. The participants were randomly selected from the seven ministries mentioned above. These participants were asked to outline their expectations and experiences with regard to a performance management system adopted by the GoL. The study tested the hypothesis that poor implementation of the PMS was a result of donors’ pressure on Lesotho to put measures in the public service to ensure service delivery enhancement. This resulted in bypassing of basic principles of the PMS as guided by the strategic human resources theoretical foundation and therefore the PMS did not achieve the intended goals. Generally, it was found that the current PMS has omitted some crucial parts in the implementation stage. For instance, employee performance based payment has never been in place. This led to de-motivated employees. Some ministries were also found not to have implemented the PMS and their main reason was that the employees’ performance assessments were never used to inform decision around employees’ related issues. The study has recommended that those aspects of the PMS policy that have been omitted should be adopted if the GoL wants to achieve significant goals with regard to the PMS. National priorities that inform employees’ performance targets/ indicators should be availed in time to allow both appraisers and appraisees to internalise those and align them with individual goals. The study also recommends a unit within the Ministry of Public Service that will coordinate the PMS activities in the line ministries. Challenges to the current PMS were seen to include lack of political will and lack of legal basis of the PMS. It is therefore recommended that the GoL gives these issues a serious thought if the PMS is to attain the intended goals.