Case Study: Patagonia achieves transparent, collaborative performance management with WorkTango

Patagonia leans on Kazoo to develop a performance management strategy worthy of its powerful business values and celebrated culture

Patagonia, the California-based outdoor apparel retailer and B Corp with more than 2,000 employees, faced a traditional, hierarchical performance-review process that was slow, cumbersome, and out of step with its values of transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. To modernize goal setting and performance development, Patagonia enlisted WorkTango and rolled out COMPASS, a performance and goals platform powered by WorkTango, to replace the annual, paper-like review system with a more agile, social, and transparent approach.

WorkTango implemented COMPASS using OKR-based goal setting, social feedback, and simple, frequent check-ins so employees see real-time performance data and managers act as coaches. The results include 98% of personal goals visible organization-wide, an average of four feedback comments per person, strong employee preference for monthly check-ins over annual reviews, and a clear link between proactive feedback-seeking/completing check-ins and higher bonuses. WorkTango’s solution democratized performance, boosted transparency, and delivered actionable data HR and leaders can use to drive development.

Patagonia

Dean Carter

Vice President of Human Resources