HRpedia: 'Fuzzy Front End'
The bit between accepting a job and actually starting
Fuzzy Front End, n.
In what is hopefully a much needed shift to cutesy-wutesy terminology in business, Fuzzy-Wuzzy Fwont End is a migratory bird of a word. It originates from product development, but recently has come to be applicable to onboarding new employees too.
Fuzzy Front End, or FFE, in product development refers to a stage where ideas are floated and looked into, while still no formal development plan is in effect. “Front End” because it happens at the start of the development cycle, “Fuzzy” because nothing is laid in stone yet, and everything is still getting worked out.
The parallel to hiring is pretty straightforward. If onboarding is the formal development process of a new employee, then FFE is the under-utilised period of time between a person being hired and the start of the induction process proper.
New hires who haven’t started yet mostly spend their time buying new pencils and shining their shoes, but really there’s no better time to let them in on office layout, warn them about that co-worker who keeps snakes in their desk drawers, or to find out about their nut allergy before you perform the century-old company initiation ritual of “peanut pelting”.
4% of hires leave on their first day, and 22% within the first 45 days. Every day before they start is a potential weapon against premature departure.
There is some important groundwork that can be laid before any induction. Meeting for a few coffees, or an informal office tour can give your new hires vital information to help them prepare for their new position.
Not only can you get a number of positive first impressions in a no-pressure environment and help provide some extra role clarity, but you also get to say you take advantage of the Fuzzy Front End. It’s just fun to say, OK?
About the author
