Performance Appraisal

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Description of Performance Appraisal. Explanation.

Definition Performance Appraisal. Description.

A Performance Appraisal is a method and a process to identify, observe, measure, evaluate and develop individual employee performance, providing employee feedback, and (indirectly) to improve the effectiveness of the organization as a whole. An appraisal normally consists out of the assessment by a qualified person of the performance and of a discussion of the development and training needs of an employee. It is important to realize there are two sides to any appraisal:

1. Judgment (Historic). Actual performance is compared against performance targets and feedback (both positive and negative) is given. This may or may not include the determination of a pay increase. Generally, including pay in the Appraisal has the major disadvantages that honest and open communication becomes almost impossible, and the judgment part of the Appraisal becomes too dominant.

2. Development (Future-oriented). The needs of the employee are evaluated in terms of the training requirement to improve skills and knowledge in line with future performance objectives and the direction the employee wants to grow. Furthermore Employee Objectives (SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant, Time-related) are agreed. Compare: Career Management.

Any Performance Appraisal should be:

3. Documented.

4. Delivered in a face-to-face meeting.

Any Appraisal should be well prepared for by both the manager and the employee. Although normally the line manager of the employee is best positioned to be the appraiser, in some organizations it can be a special Personnel Manager. The advantage can be that this specialized person has more experience, special skills and knowledge on doing employee reviews. An issue is that the Personnel Manager must be aware of how the employee is functioning in his work environment. This can be supported by Peer-Appraisals and/or by 360-Degree Feedback.

Steps in a Performance Appraisal. Process

Typically a an appraisal of performance is comprised of three main steps:

1. Definition of the expected duties and the job standards. By line manager, together with employee.
2. Conduct of the performance appraisal, comparing the actual performance of the employee with the performance standard that were previously defined.
3. Feedback and follow-up: line manager provides feedback to the employee and plans are made for future development.

Performance Appraisals Special Interest Group Special Interest Group (126 members)

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Resources - Performance Appraisals How to Give Successful Feedback to Employees Giving Feedback, Conducting a Performance Review, Performance Appraisal...   Effective Employee Performance Appraisals: Purposes, Characteristics, Sources and Methods Performance Appraisal...   Employee Performance Management and Performance Appraisals (In depth) Performance Appraisals, Performance Management, Employee Performance...   10 Common Mistakes in Giving People Feedback Performance Feedback, Performance Appraisal, Giving Feedback, Feedback to Employees...   The Role of Supervisor | Skills of Supervisors Skills of a Supervisor, Supervisor Role, Supervisor Behavior...   You Cause Poor Employee Performance Employee Appraisal, Performance Appraisal, Performance Review, Employee Performance...   The High Performance Development Model Employee Performance Management, Employee Development, Career Management...   Multitasking and Ways to Avoid It Multitasking Behavior, Peeformance Management...   Bullying: Workplace Performance and Preventive Strategies Organizational Management, Strategy...   Guide Toward Coaching your Employees Coaching Employees, Performance Reviews, Giving Effective Feedback...   How to Get a Raise. 5 Negotiation Secrets Salary Negotiations, Negotiating a Raise...   Introduction to Performance Appraisal of Employees Initial Understanding of Performance Appraisal, Start of Workshop...   Work-Family Conflicts and Work-Life Policies Performance Management, Work-Life Balance, HR, Programs...     News about Performance Appraisals         Videos about Performance Appraisals         Presentations about Performance Appraisals         Books about Performance Appraisals         More about Performance Appraisals

Compare with: Self-Appraisal  |  Peer-Appraisal  |  Behavioral Observation Scales  |  Competency-based Approach  |  Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scales  |  360-Degree Feedback  |  Management by Objectives  |  CSFs and KPIs  |  Result Oriented Management  |  Pre-Employment Screening

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This ends our Performance Appraisal summary and forum.