The XPM (EXtension Performance Management) System is a tool to set strategies for achieving individual employee performance goals and to evaluate and provide feedback on job performance. XPM is used for Extension Agents and County Extension Directors (100% county funded agents can either use the county performance evaluation form or a paper/electronic version of the form but do not use the XPM system).
Performance management provides a means to align individual program planning efforts with the goals and priorities of N.C. Cooperative Extension and strategic plan initiatives of the University.
Through the performance management process, it is important to measure and recognize what has been accomplished rather than simply measure activities. Read the story of the Beekeeper and Their Bees to learn more about this.
The performance management process also provides a defined cycle of review for supervisors and employees to assess employee success toward meeting professional development goals and address any barriers.
This website provides resources for Agents and CEDs, to help you navigate program planning, developing annual strategies and professional development plans, and completing midyear or annual performance evaluations.
Performance Management Steps
Explore each of the steps of the performance management process:
Step 1: Individual Plan of Work
Step 2: Annual Strategies
Step 3: Professional Development Activities
Step 4: Mid Year Evaluations
Step 5: Program Summaries & Annual Evaluations
If you need a refresher on the Extension programming process, you are encouraged to complete the Programming Bootcamp online course covering the fundamentals of the NC State Extension programming process prior to developing the Individual Plan of Work. You can self-enroll using the Enrollment Key: extension
XPM Timeline:
| Performance Evaluation Activity | Timeline/ Due Date |
| Performance Evaluation Cycle Begins | July 1 |
| Annual XPM Plan Due (Establish Strategies and Professional Development Activities) | Aug 31 |
| Interim/Mid-Year Evaluations Due | January 31 |
| Performance Cycle Concludes | June 30 |
| Agent Evaluations Due | July 15 |
| CED Evaluations Due | July 31 |
| Ratings Due to Extension HR/ XPM System Locks | July 31 |
Please note that NC State and NC A&T may sometimes send out communications with different deadlines; however, it is important that the deadlines listed above are met so data can be complied and transferred into the respective university systems. The XPM system will close annually and prevent submission of scores after July 31 resulting. All reviews must be approved and signed prior to this deadline.
Using the XPM System:
XPM User Guide (NC A&T Agents)
Assignment of Effort for Multi-County Agents
Questions
If you have questions about the performance management process contact your District Extension Director or County Operations.
If you need technical assistance using the XPM system send a help desk request by email to eithelpdesk@ncsu.edu
Resources
Annual Performance Management Guidelines One page quick reference guide summarizing the steps in the annual performance evaluation process.
Introduction to XPM PowerPoint slide deck provides an overview of the XPM system. XPM CED PowerPoint slide deck provides additional details on the XPM system.
Programming Bootcamp in Moodle Online course covering the fundamentals of the NC State Extension programming process. You can self-enroll using the Enrollment Key: extension