Looking for a comprehensive HR software solution to help you manage performance, learning, recruitment, and more? Trakstar might just be the right pick—but before you invest in a new tech tool, it's important to do your research and really understand whether or not it suits your business needs.
That's why I've done the work to create these detailed, in-depth review of Trakstar. I cover the software's overall functionalities, key features, pros and cons, and even some alternative options in case you don't think it's the right fit. Keep reading for an unbiased overview of Trakstar, to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
Trakstar Product Overview
Summary
Trakstar offers a platform that facilitates performance management by enabling real-time tracking and evaluation of employee performance. It primarily serves human resources professionals and managers keen on maintaining a high standard of workforce productivity and development.
The software brings the benefit of streamlined performance reviews, aiming to enhance employee growth and satisfaction. Trakstar addresses common pain points such as fragmented feedback processes, lack of measurable goals, and insufficient data for performance analysis. At the same time, its best features include goal setting, performance tracking, and actionable insights.
Pros
- Goal Setting: Trakstar helps managers and employees align expectations and track progress toward goals effectively.
- Performance Insights: The software provides detailed reports and analytics for decision-making and performance discussions.
- User Experience: Trakstar is designed to be intuitive, ensuring managers and employees can navigate its features with minimal training.
Cons
- Customization Limits: Some users find that Trakstar doesn't offer enough options to tailor the system to their company's processes.
- Integration Capabilities: The platform may not integrate seamlessly with specific existing HR systems, which can create data silos or workflow disruptions.
- Learning Curve: New users may need time to fully understand and utilize all the features that Trakstar offers, potentially slowing initial adoption.
Expert Opinion
In judging the landscape of performance management software, my experience leads me to view Trakstar as a notable contender. Its user-friendly interface stands out, simplifying the performance management process for users across various levels of tech proficiency.
Competitive pricing with excellent functionality and support tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. Trakstar may not lead the pack regarding integrations and could benefit from more robust customization.
However, it outperforms in its targeted feedback features and the ease of onboarding new users. Trakstar is ideal for companies looking to structure their performance management practices. It offers essential functions without overwhelming complexity.
Trakstar: The Bottom Line
Trakstar: The Bottom Line
Unique to Trakstar, when compared to similar performance management tools, is its commitment to a balanced approach. It provides an intuitive platform that doesn't sacrifice depth for simplicity. What it offers that others need is a focused user experience that supports both managers and employees in ongoing performance dialogues coupled with comprehensive analytics.
Awe-inspiring is its goal-setting capabilities and real-time performance insights, which foster a continuous cycle of feedback and improvement. For organizations prioritizing a straightforward yet practical approach to employee development, Trakstar's noteworthy features, like its customizable performance reviews and competency library, make it a strong candidate to consider.
Trakstar Deep Dive
Product Specifications
- Goal setting - Yes
- Performance reviews - Yes
- 360-degree feedback - Yes
- Self-service portal - Yes
- Real-time feedback - Yes
- Succession planning - Yes
- Compensation management - No
- Learning and development - Yes
- Reporting/Analytics - Yes
- Customizable templates - Yes
- Employee profiles - Yes
- Recognition and rewards - No
- Survey management - No
- Applicant tracking - No
- Employee engagement analysis - Yes
- Workflow automation - Yes
- Third-party integrations - Limited
- Mobile access - Yes
- Peer reviews - Yes
- Custom rating scales - Yes
- Competency tracking - Yes
- Development plans - Yes
- Career pathing - Yes
- Multi-language support - No
- Regulatory compliance - Yes
Trakstar Feature Overview
- Goal Setting: Trakstar enables flexible goal-setting and tracking with a variety of goal types and timeframes.
- Performance Reviews: Trakstar offers customizable templates for regular performance appraisals.
- 360-Degree Feedback: Trakstar collects feedback from peers, subordinates, and supervisors to provide a holistic view of employee performance. Anonymity is ensured, and the focus is on constructive insights.
- Real-Time Feedback: Offers a platform for immediate recognition and feedback on employee performance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engagement.
- Succession Planning: Trakstar helps identify and develop future leaders from within the workforce with a robust feature for clear succession path visualization.
- Learning and Development: Integrates development tools that help employees improve performance and prepare for future roles, linking learning directly to performance metrics.
- Reporting/Analytics: Generates detailed reports and analytics, providing data-driven insights to guide HR decisions. Trakstar's reports are known for being both comprehensive and easy to understand.
- Workflow Automation: Streamlines the performance management process by automating routine tasks and reminders, saving time and ensuring consistency.
- Competency Tracking: Monitors and assesses competencies specific to each role within the organization, which Trakstar presents in a user-friendly manner that promotes actionable feedback.
- Development Plans: Trakstar simplifies creating and tracking employee development plans aligned with goals and business objectives.
Standout Functionality
- 360-Degree Feedback Customization: Trakstar's 360-degree feedback tool stands out for its ability to be highly customized, ensuring that the feedback process is relevant and specific to each role, unlike some other systems that offer more generic feedback features.
- Real-Time Feedback Mechanism: The platform's real-time feedback capability is distinct because it is deeply integrated into the user interface, encouraging more frequent and timely interactions than many competitors offer.
- Detailed Competency Tracking: Trakstar's competency tracking feature includes a customizable library for role-specific matching, which sets it apart.
Integrations
Trakstar provides out-of-the-box integrations with a variety of other software to ensure a smooth workflow within the HR spectrum and beyond. These native integrations include popular tools for HRIS, learning management systems, and single sign-on capabilities.
Users can, for instance, connect Trakstar with major platforms like BambooHR for human resources information, enabling seamless data synchronization. Trakstar also offers an API, which organizations can use to create custom integrations tailored to their specific needs.
Trakstar's API access enables data extraction and integration with third-party systems, while add-ons like applicant tracking and learning management modules extend the platform's capabilities for a more comprehensive talent management suite.
Trakstar Pricing
Pricing upon request.
Ease of Use
Trakstar has a clean and intuitive user interface that makes it easy for new users to get started. Navigation is straightforward and features are easy to find, which simplifies the process of managing performance reviews and employee appraisals.
However, I find that the customization options for review forms, while powerful, can introduce complexity that may require a more significant time investment to master. Some users may initially find challenges in tailoring these forms to their specific needs without guidance.
Customer Support
Trakstar's customer support structure is comprehensive, with a dedicated support team available to assist with inquiries and issues. Also, they offer a range of support channels, including live chat, email, and phone, which ensures users can find help through their preferred medium.
The company offers helpful resources like documentation and webinars to enhance the user experience and provide learning opportunities. While response times are generally good, there is room for improvement during peak times or for more complex issues.
Some customers have expressed frustration with delays and lack of in-depth technical assistance, indicating that the support could be more accommodating for more demanding expectations.
Trakstar Use Case
Who Would Be A Good Fit For Trakstar?
From my assessment, Trakstar would be a good fit for medium to large enterprises that are seeking to streamline their performance management process with a comprehensive tool. Organizations that value detailed feedback and employee development, such as those in technology, healthcare, or professional services, often find Trakstar aligns well with their human resources strategies.
The tool is robust enough to handle the complexities of larger teams, where tracking individual employee performance and development can become challenging. Companies that have a dedicated HR team to manage and optimize the use of the software tend to be the most loyal and avid customers, as they can also fully utilize its extensive features, like 360-degree feedback and succession planning.
Who Would Be A Bad Fit For Trakstar?
On the flip side, Trakstar might not be the best fit for very small businesses or startups that are looking for a basic, no-frills performance management system. The complexity and depth of its features, while valuable for larger organizations, may be overwhelming and unnecessarily sophisticated for smaller teams with more straightforward needs.
Additionally, companies that lack a dedicated HR professional to manage the system might find it cumbersome to use to its full potential. Moreover, industries that require less formalized performance management processes or those that prefer a more agile, informal feedback system might find Trakstar to be too structured and feature-heavy for their preferences.
Trakstar FAQs
Can Trakstar send email reminders for performance evaluations?
Yes, Trakstar can send automated email reminders to both raters and employees to ensure that performance evaluations are completed in a timely manner.
Does Trakstar support a multi-rater feedback system?
Trakstar does support a multi-rater feedback system, allowing for comprehensive 360-degree evaluations.
How does Trakstar help with goal management?
Trakstar includes goal management features that allow managers and employees to set, track, and update goals throughout the review cycle.
Are there tutorials available to learn how to use Trakstar?
Yes, Trakstar offers a range of tutorials and resources to help users understand and navigate the performance review process effectively.
Does Trakstar facilitate annual reviews and check-in processes?
Trakstar is designed to accommodate both annual reviews and regular check-ins, offering flexibility in the appraisal process.
Is Trakstar a cloud-based solution?
Yes, Trakstar is a cloud-based performance management system, making it accessible from various devices with internet connectivity.
How does Trakstar address rater bias?
Trakstar provides features to mitigate rater bias, such as anonymous feedback options and calibration tools to ensure fair and equitable performance evaluations.
Does Trakstar offer good value for money?
Many users consider Trakstar to offer good value for money due to its comprehensive set of features that cover the entire performance review process, including goal tracking and check-ins.
Alternatives to Trakstar
- BambooHR: BambooHR is often praised for its user-friendly interface and is especially suitable for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an HR solution with strong performance management features.
- Lattice: Lattice tends to stand out for companies that prefer a modern interface and a focus on goal setting and continuous feedback, which can be a great fit for dynamic and growth-oriented organizations.
- Workday: Workday is a comprehensive enterprise solution that is often compared with Trakstar for its advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, ideal for larger organizations that need a more extensive HR suite.
Trakstar Company Overview & History
Trakstar is a company that specializes in providing performance management solutions aimed at optimizing employee engagement and enhancing the appraisal processes within organizations. It also serves a diverse range of clients, including those in non-profit organization management, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
HR managers and team members across these industries leverage Trakstar's platform for its comprehensive features, frequently lauded in user reviews for being very user-friendly. Trakstar is a cloud-based HR technology company that streamlines the performance review process.
It's part of the Applied Training Systems Inc. family and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trakstar helps organizations align team member goals with company objectives, creating a harmonious workplace that drives success. The company has achieved substantial year-over-year growth, expanded its service offerings, and won multiple accolades for its software.
Summary
In conclusion, Trakstar is a robust performance management tool with a positive rating among various industries. It's best suited for medium to large-sized companies and non-profit organizations. HR managers looking to empower team members with clear objectives and comprehensive feedback will find value in Trakstar.
We encourage you to weigh the features and user reviews before deciding if Trakstar aligns with your objectives. Share your experiences or pose questions in the comments for a community-driven understanding of the tool's impact in different professional settings.