An effective awards program maintains a portfolio of these awards so that supervisors may select an award commensurate with the achievement being recognized. Flexibility and variety also enable awards programs to use creativity and to be fun, not routine. An awards program should be easily understood. Agencies should use all available communication tools to promote their programs, including publications, electronic messages, award ceremonies, and all-hands meetings. An agency also should publicize the criteria used to choose award recipients, and showcase those employees who receive awards.
Clear communication is essential to enlist the support needed to make an awards program effective.
In summary, we recommend that evaluators review the characteristics described above when they assess the effectiveness of their agency's awards program.