Last December AZFSM was introduced to a system falsely named "Newton". It should have been named " Benedict Arnold". The information was delivered by a lying, snake oil salesman who called himself a manager. It was obvious that he was introducing this to pad his own performance plan and focal review. The system consisted of 300 nebulous questions which were suppose to define your skill level and the areas of improvement. The highly unreliable, generic output was then reviewed by your manager. He would then come up with a 5 year plan that he expected you to do in two quarters. I don't believe anyone has been using this system nor will be in the future.
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The middle management at Intel is composed of half brained dumbwits who have no technical skills. Its easy to manipulate them if you know how to do it.
Brag, Brag, Brag. Don't under understate your accomplishments. Weeklies should be at least 1 page, monthlies at least 2 pages, focal bragsheet should be at least 3-5 pages. CC your second level manager and possibly your third level manager on your monthlies, weeklies and even your focal bragsheets.
Don't admit mistakes - managers have a very good memory of bad things, it will be used in the next years focal (however they will forget good things quickly,you have to keep reminding them repeatedly about good things). Blame someone else - find someone your manager doesn't like - his or her peer, and blame them. Blame your peer who doesn't get along with your manager.
1) Try to work only on things that have visibility in your org's IMBO's and align with visible initiatives/programs. When you are compared outside your immediate team no one cares how hard you worked on something that did not make it to a dashboard to upper management somewhere.
2) Anytime you work on something/some project/process/program that you think is innovative in any way go ahead and document it nicely in a white-paper kind of format while the stuff is fresh in your mind. Then when the call comes around for papers/abstracts polish it, but before submitting it make sure you send it around, not just within your team but also sister teams or even to a broader audience for feedback. That way your name becomes known to people who might be in your focal discussions. On the same token file for invention disclosures if you think your ideas are even remotely worth patenting.
3) Networking!!! Always network with other Intel folks working in your fields of interest. Most internal reqs get filled not because you aced the interview but because they already knew you and were confident in your talent and ability of deliver.
4) Jump at any opportunity offered to work beyond your circle of comfort. If you are not uncomfortable when starting off on a new opportunity/project it means that you are not gaining any new skills/knowledge. Once you acquire new skills/knowledge make sure you advertise yourself by educating/mentoring others. This again helps with visibility which matters a LOT during focal time.
5) The above points have served me well for about 16 years at Intel but I try not to get complacent. I am a technical individual contributor. I always try to acquire new skills that will help me be external market ready if I do have to part ways with Intel. If you are confident that you are employable outside you stop being paranoid about being laid off all the time.
Its not what you you know, its who you know.
Networking seems to be the most valued skill at Intel.
Start developing and growing your soft skills. It's all about getting connected with the right network that will make the difference. Don't expect the harder you work you will be recognized and promote. We see through this restructuring, that doesn't amount to anything. So do your job, excel in networking. Get plugged into the other initiatives that are thriving. Seek them out. Join groups that get you connected with the right people.
Anything related to servers is probably the best bet.
Client group is going to be erased in the next few years, Cellular/connectivity will be spun off or sold due to lack of mobile presence. IoT stands no chance.
CPG
Your best career in outside Intel.
You have to ask for different kinds of assignments, because they're not going to land in your lap.
Just doing the same stuff over and over again would just make you an even easier target.
If you drop the soap around Murthy or BK, don't pick it up
Learn how pucker your lips and practice kissing some major ass career development tip.