Performance Systems Technologies
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Performance System
Technologies (PST) Program specializes in performance system
analysis and consultation for public and private
organizations. The program offers performance system
consultation that results in the alignment of organizational
and employees’ goals and performance. This approach promotes
lasting performance improvement for the organization and its
employees.
Under the supervision of Dr. Houmanfar, consultation is
provided by a team of advanced graduate students in
Psychology. All team members are trained in the methods and
principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Behavior
System Analysis, and Performance Management.
Mission
PST is committed to help organizations succeed by engaging
in performance improvement practices that meet the financial
needs of the employee while increasing organizational
profitability.
Philosophy
Consultation practices of PST are based on the
technologies developed in the area of Behavioral System
Analysis (BSA). In broadest terms, BSA refers to the
application of the principles and techniques of applied
behavior analysis and system analysis to the management of
behavior in organizational settings. BSA assumes that
individual and organizational outcomes are a function of the
supporting environment and therefore seeks to develop
environments in which individual and organizational
objectives will be met. According to BSA, organizational
improvement processes should help organizations achieve a
self-regulating state that responds to the ongoing demands
of their business environment. This outcome is achieved by
alignment of mission, organizational processes,
organizational products, organizational resources (e.g.,
work material, labor utilization and financial resources),
and market demands.
Objectives
The objectives of PST are two fold. First, the provision
of services based on a theoretical perspective that focuses
on the ongoing analysis of interactive behaviors (and the
related products) of employees as they actually occur in
organizational settings. The second objective is to help
organizations understand how to succeed by engaging in
organizational improvement practices that prove critical,
worthy, and lasting. Simply stated, our primary goal is to
design and implement a technology of broad-scale performance
improvement so that employees will be more productive and
satisfied in the work place, and top and middle management
are more informed performance outcomes, thereby assisting
organizations to be more effective and efficient in
achieving their long term goals.
Methodology
Too often the analysis begins with identifying the
resources for a given process, and justifying the existence
of the process. We jump to conclusion by deciding that we
ought to bring more resources, more training, more people or
different technology.
PST practitioners believe that, in order for any
organization to reach its potential, the values of the
employee must be in line with those of the company. This
understanding is carried out in the methods employed by PST
practitioners.
Phase 1: Development
PST consultants meet with senior management for an overview
of the mission, the products and the impact of the product
on the customer. This process also includes an assessment of
performance measurement, and the design of a pay for
performance system.
Phase 2: Implementation
Managers attend a leadership program in which they are
trained on management practices that have proven effective
within the performance system. Employees complete a PC based
training program that will introduce them to the PST
philosophy and methods of the PST system.
Phase 3: Maintenance
Under the supervision of PST’s team of Ph.D.’s, University
of Nevada advance graduate students provide ongoing
consultation to address performance deficits and develop
improvement plans. This process includes development of
performance measurement, employee and manager training,
ongoing administration of performance system, integration of
system with Human Resources, and ongoing manager assistance
and performance improvement planning.
Current and Past Consultation & Placement Sites
- High Sierra Industries (HSI) & WARC
- Medical School, University of Nevada, Reno
- Behavior Analysis Program, University of Nevada, Reno
- Sierra Nevada Academy
- McNeel International: Olefinas, Guatemala
About the Director
Dr. Ramona Houmanfar received her PhD from University of
Nevada, Reno (UNR) and joined the faculty in the Department
of Psychology at UNR in 1998. Dr. Houmanfar has served
as the Director of Organizational Behavior Management
Network and President of Nevada Association for Behavior
Analysis. Currently, she is serving as the Associate Editor
of Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, senior
co-chair of the Association for Behavior Analysis, a trustee
of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, Chair of the
Behavior in Organization of Cambridge Center for Behavioral
Studies, and an editorial board member of Behavior and
Social Issues.
Dr. Houmanfar has published dozens of articles and chapters,
delivered more than 100 presentations at regional, national,
and international conferences in the areas of rule
governance, communication networks, organizational change,
cultural psychology and bilingual repertoire analysis and
learning. She has published two co-edited books titled
“Organizational Change” (Context Press) and “Understanding
Complexity in Organizations” (Taylor & Francis Group).
Dr. Houmanfar’s entrepreneurial as well as Co-PI activities
on a federal grant have generated over $1,000,000 during the
last three years.