Designing an HR System: What Should Be the Core Function?

Hi colleagues,

I am asking all of you, what the main HR function should be in any HR system. Actually, I am asking because I am looking to design a sample HR system for my company.

Thanks a lot for all your support and advice.

FAHAD

Dear Friend,

Let us start with basics!

HR is the philosophical orientation of the organization that believes and treats the people it employs as "Resource"!

It, therefore, presupposes that all its policies - business, operational, and functional - will recognize this principle, and all its decisions will reflect this. Once you accept this fundamental stance, you recast (if necessary) all people functions, from recruitment to separation, with this thought, and you will have in place an HR system.

Additionally, please appreciate the fact that a good Performance Appraisal System is the core strategy of a good HR plan. Instead of being a tool to decide "increments," as it were, it can add value to improving performance, superior-subordinate relationships, the logistics of work distribution, and contribute to transparency in people management within the organization.

Many things could be added on this query, but it would be easier for me to answer specific questions. So, if you need to ask questions, kindly respond to this email on the group and raise your points!

Samvedan

September 28, 2005

Hello Fahad,

Bharath again, Greetings to you!

Related to HR Software information; HRIS usually covers functionality/operations of HR Dept. like Employee Info. Mgmt., Payroll, Training, Recruitment, Appraisal, Time Office Mgmt/Attendance, etc...

Are you finding it for a company (if you are in the HR Dept)? I can suggest you good vendors in this regard. Because in-house development and maintenance is difficult and I have come across that pain area.

Bye,
Bharath

Hi Fahad,

HR systems will differ from company to company based on size, complexity, and the issues they face. In an industry where employee churn is high, recruitment software may be critical. In large organizations, performance management and training and development software may be key drivers for the HR department.

- You need to first get your perspective on your organization straight and define your scope.
- The list of modules you can get from any software vendor's website.
- Interlink modules in HR. Do you want a system where performance links into training? Position management links into recruitment? Recruitment links into induction and then training?
- Technology - are you looking at a large multi-location organization where self-service and workflow for HR are very useful on a web-based platform?
- Is your system designed around talent management or is it just a recording system?
- Putting in data is not enough - what do you want out of the system? Often the output helps define a lot of the design. Constantly keep this in mind when you design.

Hope this gives some food for thought as you embark on design.

Cheers,

Sankalp Patnaik
+91 44 9884410424

Please help me in getting the list of core HR functions, with a small summary about each function.


Thank you.

Hey Divya,

I hope this HR SOP format will help you in this regard.