Investors in People is a national initiative aimed at encouraging excellence in approaches to human resources management and enhanced organisational performance. IiP focuses on developing staff to meet organisational priorities and links human resource development to annual planning. It emphasises integrated staff development based on individual, team and organisational need.

The Investors in People standard

Developing strategies to improve the performance of the organisation

1. A Strategy for improving the performance of the organisation is clearly defines and understood.

2. Learning and development is planned to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

3. Strategies for managing people are designed to promote equality of opportunity in the development of the organisation’s people.

4. The capabilities managers need to lead, manage and develop people effectively are clearly defined and understood.

Taking action to improve the performance of the organisation

1. Managers are effective in leading, managing and developing people.

2. People’s contribution to the organisation is recognised and valued.

3. People are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility by being involved in decision-making.

4. People learn and develop effectively.

Evaluating the impact on the performance of the organisation

1. Investment in people improves the performance of the organisation.

2. Improvements are continually made to the way people are managed and developed.