Human Performance Management

People are most comfortable and productive in their work when it is organized in a humane way, taking not only technical and control requirements but also human needs and aspirations into account.

At HPM we support organizations to optimize the full potential of their core asset: people

Organizations can only excel when their employees are prepared to do their utmost (for the organization). In our view, management’s function is to create optimal conditions for employees so they can thrive. By means of aligning technological, social, organizational and personal factors, excellent performance can be achieved. Human Performance Management (HPM) at TU/e develops scientific knowledge and tests theories that uncover and explain psychological processes contributing to performance at the organizational, team and individual level. By examining the ‘people factor’ in operational and innovation processes, HPM aims to ensure that employees can help in bringing organizational strategies to fruition in the most rewarding and efficient way possible.

Our research is focused on finding ways in which (human) performance in the workplace can be enhanced. It has a positive focus, striving for performance optimization rather than risk management. The research in our group is both human- and process-oriented. We focus on how humans regulate their behavior towards goal accomplishment rather than on the measurement and control of performance, and on the (re)design of socio-technical systems in which human and (work)task aspects are optimally aligned and integrated. 

Our expertise can contribute significantly to making people's working lives healthier, safer, and more engaging and to better functioning organizations.

The group’s work spans three main topics. 

• ‘Managing work’ looks at management of work processes in organizations and designing performance management systems, as well as what strategies people use to complete their tasks and to solve problems.
• ‘Managing change’ focuses on redesigning operational processes (including structure and culture) or implementing (technological) innovations that give people better opportunities to contribute to organizational goals and performance. 
• ‘Managing people’ is about optimizing the workforce in order to reach/achieve organizational goals, attract the right people and keep employees motivated, healthy and contributing to organizational performance.  

We collaborate with colleagues from our own department (Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences) but also from other departments such as Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering and Built Environment. Further we have a large network of organizations with whom we conduct collaborative (research) projects.