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Case Study: University HR Department Uses Chea Seed to Streamline Performance Review Self-Assessments

Background

A university’s Director of Human Resources invited 141 staff members across various levels of seniority and job types to use Chea Seed Inc. (CHEA) to support them in completing their self-assessments during performance reviews. The goal of the pilot was to assess how CHEA’s career coaching platform could simplify the self-assessment process and reduce the effort required by staff members.

Key Metrics


  • Invitation Acceptance Rate: 54 staff members (38%) accepted the invitation to participate in the pilot.

  • Engagement Rate: Of the 54 participants, 23 staff members (43%) co-created their performance review self-assessments with the platform.

  • Accomplishment Brainstorming: 96% of participating staff had not kept a complete record of their accomplishments and brainstormed them during their session.

Pilot Program Insights


During the pilot, staff used CHEA to co-create their self-assessments. Many participants had not maintained detailed records of their accomplishments, and the platform helped them brainstorm and document their achievements. In just one 15-minute session, participants were able to generate a complete draft of their self-assessment. Feedback suggested that only minor changes were needed to finalize the assessment.

Additionally, staff members developed ideas for improvement and future steps during the self-assessment session, providing added value to the process. The pilot also showed that supporting staff and managers through a process often viewed with disdain can create a more positive experience for both parties.


Time and Cost Savings


Although no specific time estimates were provided by university staff, general estimates from industry sources suggest that completing a self-assessment typically takes 2 to 5 hours. CHEA helped staff complete a significant portion of this process in just 15 minutes.

While it is difficult to quantify the exact value of time saved for managers, a well-prepared self-assessment can provide additional clarity and save managers time in reviewing performance. This unquantified value adds further to the overall time and effort saved by the platform.

Given that the average hourly wage of staff in the university state is approximately $20 per hour, the potential savings ranged from $30 to $70 per staff member. Across all participants, this could represent a total savings of $690 to $1,610 for the pilot program.

While this pilot was free, CHEA’s typical cost per session ranges from $5 to $10, meaning that even in a paid scenario, savings would still range from $460 to $1,495 for this two-month period.

Platform Improvements During the Pilot

Several key improvements were made to the platform during the pilot:

  • Flexibility in Dates: The self-assessment process was adapted to accommodate various performance review timelines.

  • Expanded Suggestions: More suggestions were provided to help staff reflect on their accomplishments.

  • Improved Communication: Increased communication and feedback loops were introduced to enhance the user experience.


Conclusion


The university’s pilot program demonstrated how CHEA’s career coaching platform can streamline the self-assessment process, reducing the time required to complete it while fostering confidence among staff members. In just 15 minutes, staff were able to produce thorough drafts with minimal revisions, and the platform’s support helped staff generate ideas for improvement and future steps.


Moreover, the platform's value extends beyond time saved by staff, as well-prepared self-assessments provide clarity and save time for managers, further improving the performance review process. CHEA helps create a more positive experience for a task that is often met with reluctance by both staff and managers.

CHEA’s AI-powered, self-service career coaching platform continues to prove its value for on-the-job success, career planning, and performance reviews. With actionable advice delivered in just 15-minute sessions—2x faster than traditional coaching—organizations can enhance staff performance while saving time and resources. This case study highlights the flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of CHEA, making it an ideal solution for companies looking to streamline their performance reviews. Free pilots are available for easy group setup.

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