nextSource, a workforce management solutions provider helping organizations manage their extended workforce, wanted its own internal performance management process to reflect the same efficiency it delivers to clients. With roughly 75 remote employees across the U.S., HR was managing performance reviews through Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. Managers and employees filled out templates, sent versions back and forth for edits, and then forwarded everything to HR for storage and tracking. It worked, but it was slow.
The entire process, from reviews to goal setting to bonus recommendations, required manual input, follow-ups, and multiple systems. Managers spent hours typing feedback, HR reconciled conflicting files, and collaboration across departments was difficult to capture. For a people-first organization built on transparency and connection, it was clear this process was holding the team back.
When the HR team began exploring new solutions, they wanted to automate performance management without losing the human element. Incompass Labs stood out for its ability to bring everything – reviews, goals, and compensation recommendations all into one platform. The 360 feedback capability allowed employees to receive input not just from their managers but from peers and cross-functional partners. Its AI-supported writing tools made it easier to articulate performance feedback, while still keeping the conversation personal.
Implementation was quick and straightforward. Employees described the system as intuitive and user-friendly, and adoption was immediate. Within the first cycle, feedback from managers and employees was overwhelmingly positive. The process felt clear, structured, and easy to navigate.
For the first time, managers could see a more complete picture of each employee’s impact. Feedback came from across the organization, helping ensure that performance conversations were balanced and grounded in real collaboration. The addition of AI support helped reviewers write more thoughtful evaluations and freed up time for actual dialogue.
nextSource’s Director of Training, Learning and Development described the shift as both practical and cultural: “AI is there for support, not to take away the human element. It actually opens up better conversations between managers and employees.”
Pay and bonus recommendations were also transformed. What had once been managed manually in Excel - requiring repeated back-and-forth and file consolidation, became a streamlined process inside Incompass. Managers entered their recommendations directly into the system, and HR could generate a single exportable report for leadership. That change reduced back-and-forth, sped up turnaround, and improved the accuracy of compensation data, and resulted in more confidence in decision-making.
“The process was definitely faster,” Jessica explained. “Before, it was all Excel, back and forth. Now it’s one report, across the organization.”
In its first review cycle using Incompass Labs, nextSource reduced the time required for reviews and goal setting by about 50%. HR no longer had to track down documents, and managers could focus on giving meaningful feedback instead of formatting files.
The platform centralized goals and progress tracking so employees, managers, and HR could all see the same real-time status. Managers and employees can view and update the same goal progress during one-to-ones, using the platform’s progress indicators and manager notes to guide coaching conversations.
“Performance management is something people often dread,” Jessica said. “Now it feels structured, supported, and easy to use.”
nextSource’s partnership with Incompass Labs turned performance management from a time-consuming requirement into a system that builds trust, supports development, and drives better decisions. Reviews take half the time, feedback is more balanced, and HR has the reporting and visibility needed to act with confidence.
The process now reflects the culture: people-first, data-informed, and designed for growth.
Curious how Incompass Labs could support your organization? Schedule your demo today.
