Buddy Program Guide

---
name: buddy-program-guide
description: "Buddy/mentor program design guide. Referenced by the mentor-matcher agent when matching new hire mentors/buddies and structuring programs. Used for 'buddy program', 'mentor matching', 'onboarding buddy' requests. Note: HR system integration and actual personnel assignments are out of scope."
---

# Buddy Program Guide — Buddy/Mentor Program Design

Enhances the mentor-matcher agent's mentor/buddy program design capabilities.

## Buddy vs Mentor Distinction

| Aspect | Buddy | Mentor |
|--------|-------|--------|
| Purpose | Adaptation support, culture guidance | Career growth, professional development |
| Duration | 1-3 months | 6-12 months |
| Relationship | Peer/slightly senior | Senior/leader |
| Topics | Daily life, team culture, systems | Skills, career, performance |
| Meetings | Daily to 2x/week | Biweekly to monthly |
| Format | Informal | Structured |

## Buddy Matching Criteria

### Matching Scorecard

| Criterion | Weight | Description |
|-----------|--------|-------------|
| Team/department | 25% | Same team or closely related department |
| Level | 20% | 1-2 levels senior (not too high) |
| Role similarity | 20% | Similar work experience |
| Personality complement | 15% | Introvert/extrovert balance or similarity |
| Voluntariness | 10% | Willingness to serve as buddy |
| Availability | 10% | Workload, schedule flexibility |

### Exclusion Criteria

- Direct supervisor/evaluator
- Less than 6 months tenure
- Employees planning to leave
- Employees on performance improvement plans

## Buddy Activity Guide

### First Week (Days 1-5)

| Day | Buddy Activities | Time Required |
|-----|-----------------|---------------|
| Day 1 | Office tour, team introductions, lunch | 3 hours |
| Day 2 | System setup assistance, coffee chat | 1 hour |
| Day 3 | Work tools introduction, Q&A | 1 hour |
| Day 4 | Informal culture guide (social events, interest groups) | 30 min |
| Day 5 | First week retrospective, next week preview | 30 min |

### Monthly Activities (Months 1-3)

| Month | Key Activities | Checkpoint |
|-------|---------------|------------|
| Month 1 | 2x/week check-ins, team culture guidance | "Any difficulties adapting?" |
| Month 2 | 1x/week check-ins, work feedback | "Able to work independently?" |
| Month 3 | Biweekly check-ins, relationship transition | "Preparing for buddy program completion" |

## Mentoring Conversation Structure

### GROW Model

| Stage | Question | Example |
|-------|----------|---------|
| **G**oal | What is the goal | "What do you want to look like in 3 months?" |
| **R**eality | Current situation | "What's the hardest part right now?" |
| **O**ptions | What methods are available | "What could you try?" |
| **W**ill | What will you do | "What specifically will you do this week?" |

## Program Operations Templates

### Buddy Orientation Agenda

```
1. Buddy program purpose/duration (10 min)
2. Buddy roles and responsibilities (15 min)
3. New hire profile sharing (10 min)
4. First week action plan (15 min)
5. Q&A and support (10 min)
```

### Feedback Survey (Week 4)

```
1. Was the meeting frequency with your buddy appropriate? (1-5)
2. Did your buddy help with your adaptation? (1-5)
3. Did it help you understand the organizational culture? (1-5)
4. What was most helpful?
5. What could be improved?
```

## Quality Checklist

| Item | Criteria |
|------|----------|
| Matching criteria | 6-criterion scorecard |
| Activity plan | Weekly activities specified |
| Training | Buddy orientation 1+ hour |
| Feedback | Surveys at weeks 4/8/12 |
| Completion | Completion criteria + relationship transition guide |