Three-Day Residential Workshop Equips National and State Teams with Robust Performance Management Systems

In a strategic move to strengthen organizational effectiveness as Don Bosco Tech Society approaches its twentieth anniversary, a comprehensive three-day Performance and Leadership Development workshop was conducted at Don Bosco Skills Mission, Bangalore. This residential program brought together national and state teams to establish a data-driven culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

The workshop was expertly facilitated by Luminary Learning Solutions, Sri Lanka, who graciously conducted the sessions pro bono due to their firsthand experience with Salesian educational work. Led by founder Mr. Vidusha Natavitharana and supported by Mr. Ashiq and Mr. Anton, the facilitators brought both expertise and genuine appreciation for Don Bosco's mission to youth empowerment.

Setting the Foundation: Vision from Leadership

Fr. George Mathew, Executive Director of Don Bosco Tech Society, set the tone for the workshop by sharing his personal vision in a staff email: "As we move into the latter part of 2025 and into completing twenty years as an organization, and with a view to planning for the next five years, it is essential that we equip ourselves to meet both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. A critical part of this readiness is the development of a robust system for goal setting and performance management, one that not only supports individual and organizational growth but also fosters deeper HR engagement across the board."

Demonstrating leadership by example, Fr. George shared his own top three KPIs with the entire team, embodying the principles of responsibility and accountability he expects from all levels of the organization.

Day One: Clarity Through Collaborative Goal Setting

The first day focused on establishing clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for individual roles and departments. This wasn't merely a top-down exercise – teams worked both individually and departmentally to define meaningful metrics that would drive their work forward.

The power of this collaborative approach became evident when each team presented their KPIs to the entire group. The feedback and suggestions that followed created a dynamic environment of mutual learning and organizational alignment, ensuring that every department's goals supported Don Bosco Tech's ultimate mission.

Day Two: From Goals to Dashboards

The second day transformed goals into actionable measurement systems through departmental dashboard creation. Teams learned to distinguish between opinion-based assessments and data-driven performance measures – a crucial skill for objective organizational growth.

Each department identified their top three KPIs and developed comprehensive dashboards featuring targets, measures, and metrics. The facilitators introduced their innovative "Goal Tree" method, providing hands-on guidance to help teams navigate toward their established targets.

A Voice from the Support Functions

The workshop's impact was particularly meaningful for support departments, often the unsung heroes of organizational success. Cecilia Abraham, Communications Manager at Don Bosco Tech Society, captured this sentiment perfectly: "We do so much support work that isn't easily quantified - sometimes leading us to feel like we work so much but can't showcase our impact. Support roles need better metrics to demonstrate their true value."

Her words resonated throughout the organization, highlighting the workshop's importance in making visible the critical work that enables frontline programs to succeed.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement

The facilitators emphasized that this workshop represented not a one-time event, but the beginning of an ongoing journey of assessment and reassessment. The top-down approach used throughout the three days created crystal-clear organizational vision alignment, while the collaborative elements ensured buy-in at every level.

Looking Forward: The Six-Month Milestone

As the workshop concluded, participants understood that their real work was just beginning. The next six months will involve refining KPIs and metrics to enhance performance across all functions. A follow-up review is scheduled to assess progress and make necessary adjustments, ensuring that this performance management system evolves with the organization's needs.

A Strategic Investment in Excellence

This workshop represents more than skills development – it's a strategic investment in Don Bosco Tech Society's future. As the organization prepares for its next five-year plan, having robust performance management systems in place will be crucial for meeting both opportunities and challenges ahead.

The partnership with Luminary Learning Solutions exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that drives Salesian education forward. When organizations with shared values come together, the impact extends far beyond individual learning to create systemic transformation.

As Don Bosco Tech Society continues its mission of empowering youth through skills education, this foundation in performance-driven leadership ensures that every team member – from frontline trainers to support staff – can clearly see how their contributions create meaningful change in young lives across the nation.