360-Degree Feedback

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Description of 360-Degree Feedback. Explanation.

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Definition 360-Degree Feedback. Description.

360-degree survey 360-Degree Feedback is an Appraisal technique in which an image of an employee is produced from multiple angles, leading to a circular (hence: 360°) picture of the employee. The method can be seen as an extended variant of the Peer-Appraisal. People participating in a 360° review normally include:

The person her / himself
Manager
Selected colleagues / peers (from other departments)
Selected subordinates (people the person manages)

Besides these standard ones, the categories of participants can be extended by including:

Clients / customers
Business partners
Other stakeholders
Any other business contacts of the employee

Typically, the appraisers provide feedback about the employee's competences, skills and behaviors using an anonymous questionnaire-based 360° feedback form. The method can be used as an introduction phase of an appraisal by the manager of the employee. An advantage of doing so is that it provides the employee and the employer with the opportunity to involve a wider range of opinions in the appraisal process. It can be combined with a Self-Appraisal to reflect the employees own thoughts about his performance and the reasons behind it.

Advantages of doing 360-Degree Feedback reviews include a decrease of subjectivity, bringing in a wider range of opinions, helping to increase the size of the future-oriented part of the manager appraisal. A disadvantage is the time and effort that needs to be spent. For a motivated and social coherent group of people this disadvantage should be no obstacle.

The following environmental attributes / factors are believed to be conducive for successful 360-degree feedback:

Organizational climate fosters individual growth.
Criticisms are seen as opportunities for improvement.
Proper framing of feedback method by management.
Assurance that feedback will be kept confidential.
Development of feedback tool based on organizational goals and values.
Feedback tool includes area for comments.
Brief employees, appraisers and supervisors about purpose, uses of data and methods of survey prior to distribution of tool.
Train appraisers in appropriate methods to give and receive feedback.
Support feedback with back-up services or customized coaching.

Also called Multi-rater Feedback, Multi-source Feedback or 360-Degree Reviews.

Special Interest Group - 360-Degree Feedback

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Forum - 360-Degree Feedback

Discussions about 360-Degree Feedback.

	360 Appraisal Versus Indigenous Systems and Culture In South Africa we have an indigenous traditional culture called Ubuntu (which is also referred to as 'The African Way') (...)

	A Simplified 360 Device A simplified, non-threatening and direct version can be used by individual employees to help set their performance targe (...)

	360, 180 and 540 Degree Feedback 360 degree feedback would involve the person themselves, their manager, selected peers and selected people that the pers (...)

	360 DFB Must be a Continuous and Open Process 360 is a continuous feedback mechanism. Organizations which have 360s as a major tool for people development mostly coll (...)

	Dealing with Non-constructive 360 Degree Feedback I am new to this review process at my company. I have submitted names of a few colleagues to provide me feedback. Howeve (...)

	What Should Be Appraised in 360 Degree Feedback? To appraise someone's personality, we look for : - Compliance to conducting code (super-ego) - Competence to working r (...)

	How do You Prepare Participants for a 360 DFB? I'm keen to learn how you introduce the concept to each 360 Degree Feedback (360 DFB) participant (the person at the cen (...)

	360 Degree Feedback Originator? Who propounded the 360 degree feedback approach? (...)

Best Practices - 360-Degree Feedback

Here you find the most valuable discussions from the past.

	Watch out for Abuse of 360 Degree Feedback! The quality of the feedback depends on the attitude and skills of the management. If management is not caring about the (...)

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Expert Tips - 360-Degree Feedback

Here you will find advices by experts.

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Resources - 360-Degree Feedback

Here you find powerpoint presentations, micro-learning videos and further information sources.

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