You have the power to give someone the gift of multiple Direct Managers – it only takes a minute.

Improved Functionality

We are thrilled to announce a significant enhancement to the Direct Manager feature, bringing increased flexibility and functionality to account management across our Learning Management System (LMS), Batch Tool, and APIs.

These changes are designed to improve your overall user experience. The information provided below explains these changes in greater detail. You can also explore the Embracing the Power of Multiplicity section, where we delve into the benefits of the multiple Direct Manager approach for businesses and employees alike.
 

Out With the Old, in With the New

Previously, you could only add one Direct Manager to an account through the LMS, Batch Tool, or via an API. Whereas now, you can add multiple Direct Managers via the same platforms, allowing your people to have a different Direct Manager for each role or position they hold.
 

LMS Accounts – Ignite Multiple Direct Manager Roles

Your accounts can now have a whole symphony of Direct Managers - because who needs a solo act when you can have an entire ensemble?

You can find, add, update, and remove an account’s Direct Managers in the LMS via the account's Role tab. Under the Roles tab is a section that has a new name. It was previously labelled as Direct Manager; it’s now called Direct Manager(s). It’s a slight yet significant variation.

In the Direct Manager(s) section, you can assign multiple Direct Managers to an account by using the + Add direct manager button. 

Batch Tool Uploads

The Batch Tool now supports the inclusion of multiple Direct Managers through two types of batch uploads:

• Account - Create Account
  • When uploading an Account - Create Account batch, the Direct Manager Username(s) field (previously called Direct Manager) adds Direct Managers to the account.
• Update Direct Manager(s) (previously called Update Direct Manager)
  • When uploading an Update Direct Manager(s) batch, the Update Direct Manager(s) field (previously called Direct Manager Username) changes the account’s Direct Managers.

In the fields mentioned above, use the delimiter comma to separate multiple usernames.

Changes in the API

API joke corner: Oh no! 503 error! We tried to POST a joke about APIs, but, unfortunately, due to set-up issues, you couldn’t GET it. 

Our APIs have been updated to accommodate the new feature of adding or updating multiple Direct Managers to an account. Previously, the APIs allowed for the addition or update of only one Direct Manager against an account. With the release of this change, the APIs now support the addition or updating of multiple Direct Managers by introducing respective new tags to pass the multiple manager details.

To incorporate this change, we enhanced the following APIs:

SOAP

• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/soap/GroupService?wsdl
  • Method: getAccounts (token, groupId, groupPath, includeSubGroups[, role*])
• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/soap/AccountService?wsdl
  • Method: newAccount
  • Method: updateAccount
  • Method: getAccount
  • Method: getDirectManagers (previously getDirectManager)
  • Method: setDirectManagers (previously setDirectManager)     

REST

• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/group/{group_path}/getaccounts
  • HTTP Method: GET
• Resource URL:  https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/account/{account}/get
  • HTTP Method: GET 
• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/account/getDirectManagers?{account}   (previously getDirectManager) 
  • HTTP Method: GET 
• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/account/create
  • HTTP Method: POST
  • Key: directManagers
  • Key Value: JSON
• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/account/{username}/edit
  • HTTP method: POST
  • Key: directManagers
  • Key Value: JSON
• Resource URL: https://{siteurl}/rest/{format}/account/setDirectManagers?{account}   (previously setDirectManager)
  • HTTP Method: POST
  • Key: directManagers
  • Key Value: JSON

* Use the accountId and/or username as the account value.   
For example, https://mykineosite.com/rest/json/account/setDirectManagers?accountId=73689&username=JohnSmith

** In the create, edit and setDirectManagers APIs, the value for the directManagers key needs to be in JSON format.
The format returned in the response will match the format used in the URL. To return an XML response, replace the {format} placeholder with xml in the URL. For example, https://mykineosite.com/rest/xml/account/setDirectManagers?accountId=73689&username=JohnSmith. To return a JSON response, replace the {format} placeholder with json in the URL. For example, https://mykineosite.com/rest/json/account/setDirectManagers?accountId=73689&username=JohnSmith.
 

Why use Multiple Direct Managers?

We’ve created the possibility so that you have the freedom to implement what aligns best with the needs of your team or business. The section below highlights the potential benefits of adopting multiple Direct Managers, we hope this information helps.
 

Embracing the Power of Multiplicity

In today's dynamic and multifaceted work environments, embracing a multiple Direct Manager approach offers a range of benefits for both employees and organisations. With this strategy, employees can benefit from a diverse range of expertise, perspectives, and leadership styles. In turn, this contributes to the holistic development of the employee.
 

Empower Your Employees

In a scenario where an employee holds multiple roles or positions within the organisation, having a different Direct Manager for each role ensures that they receive tailored support and guidance aligned with the specific requirements of each position. Distinct roles often entail varying responsibilities and challenges. Multiple Direct Managers allow employees to navigate these diverse work contexts with greater ease and flexibility, ensuring that they receive targeted support in each capacity.

In organisations with complex operational structures, such as matrix organisations or those with cross-functional teams, multiple Direct Managers provide specialised guidance for intricate roles, ensuring that each aspect of the employee's responsibilities is managed effectively. Moreover, appointing multiple Direct Managers encourages cross-functional collaboration and communication within the organisation. This promotes a cohesive work environment where different departments and roles can align their efforts more effectively.
 

Building Organisational Resilience

Embracing the concept of multiple Direct Managers enables the organisation to build a resilient and adaptable leadership structure. As organisations navigate hybrid work models, having multiple Direct Managers can help employees adjust to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by remote work, ensuring they receive comprehensive support in both virtual and physical work environments. This agility is essential in rapidly changing environments, allowing the organisation to respond effectively to evolving demands and opportunities.
 

Providing a Collaborative Working Space

A dynamic, managerial, problem-solving environment is where leaders can collaborate on strategies to effectively manage and support their employees. Using a multiple Direct Managers approach fosters a more robust support system. Clear communication channels and well-defined responsibilities become paramount to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure smooth collaboration across various managerial spheres. If an employee encounters a barrier with one manager, the other can step in, providing a fresh perspective and contributing to collaborative problem-solving for effective issue resolution. This ensures a well-rounded approach to addressing the diverse needs and challenges an employee may face in their roles.
 

Merging Needs with Leadership

The multiple Direct Managers model offers a wealth of advantages for both employees and organisations alike by empowering individuals and building a support foundation for the employee. What’s more, it brings diverse leadership inputs to the table, cultivating an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. This diversity of perspectives can spark new ideas and approaches, driving the organisation's growth and evolution. By embracing this concept, organisations can adapt to the complexities of modern work realities and unlock the full potential of their workforce.

If you have any questions or need help, please get in touch. We're excited about this enhancement and look forward to providing you with even more powerful and flexible tools in the future.