WorkDNA is a new AI-powered tool designed by Human Resources and the Office of Information Technology to help Rice employees clearly describe the work they do every day. Through a simple, guided conversation, the tool helps individuals uncover specialized skills, routine responsibilities, and important contributions that are often overlooked. The result is a clear, organized picture of someone’s role—one that reflects both what they do and the value they bring to the Rice community.
What’s changing—and why it matters
Many roles across Rice involve complex, behind-the-scenes work that is hard to explain in a traditional job description or performance review. WorkDNA changes that. By asking targeted questions in plain language, the tool helps employees document their work in a way that is accurate, complete, and easy to understand.
This benefits Rice in several ways. It helps preserve institutional knowledge during employee transitions, including those connected to VSIP. It supports smoother handovers, onboarding, and job postings. For individuals, it provides a practical way to prepare for performance reviews, clarify responsibilities with supervisors, and articulate their unique contributions—especially work that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Importantly, employee data is stored securely within Rice systems, and users remain in control. They can review, edit, and refine the summaries as they go, ensuring the final document truly reflects their work.
Get Started with WorkDNA
WorkDNA is available now for staff and faculty who want a clearer, more complete way to document the work they do. Whether you’re preparing for a performance conversation, clarifying responsibilities with your supervisor, or capturing knowledge for continuity and transition planning, the tool offers a practical place to start.
To learn how WorkDNA works and what to expect, employees can watch the WorkDNA Workshop Video, which provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the tool and process. If you have questions or would like support getting started, help is available through the WorkDNA support contact form.