Are you trying to control how many points your employees give through a recognition program? You have two main tools in Awardco—Limits in Recognition Programs and Budgets—and knowing when to use which can save you a lot of administrative headache.
This week, we're breaking down the best use cases for each financial guardrail to help you structure your programs for success!
Limits: The Simple, "Set It and Forget It" Guardrail 🛑
Limits are best for ensuring inflexible, non-rollover recognition amounts and frequencies. They are a simple cap on the giver or recipient within a specific time frame (e.g., per month, quarter, or year).
Use Case | Why Limits Work Best |
|---|
Peer-to-Peer Programs | You want everyone to give, but you need a simple cap (e.g., 4 recognitions per month). |
Employee of the Month | You want to ensure the manager only gives one award of a specific type (e.g., 1 award per month). |
Fixed Frequency | The points/awards do not roll over. If they aren't used this period, they are gone. |
✅ Best for: Simplicity, fixed frequencies, and programs where the funding source is centralized or outside of the user's direct management.
Budgets: The Flexible, Customizable Funding Source 💰
Budgets can be managed, tracked, and automatically replenished. They are ideal when you need rollover capability and granular control over the funding source.
Use Case | Why Budgets Work Best |
|---|
Manager Programs | You need points to rollover from month-to-month or year-to-year to account for fluctuating needs. |
Custom Segmentation | You need to grant access to funds based on metadata (like Department or Location). |
Auto-Reload Rules | You want the platform to automatically replenish a manager’s budget on a set schedule (e.g., $500 added on the first of every month). |
❌ Warning: Budgets are not good for "set it and forget it." They require a funding source and are best managed with Auto-Reload Rules to prevent depletion.
Key Takeaway
Feature | Best Use Case | Admin Portal Location |
|---|
Limits | Frequency Capping (e.g., max 5 awards/month). No Rollover. | Program Settings > Limits |
Budgets | Flexible Funding (with Rollover and Auto-Reload). | Finance > Budgets (and link in Program Settings > Points) |
By making the right choice, you ensure your recognition programs are funded correctly and consistently across your organization!
Ready to check your program settings? Do you find yourself using Limits or Budgets more often for your recognition programs? Let us know below! 👇
