Question-and-answer format for appraisals

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Performance appraisals are an integral part of managing performance but what we sorely need is a more tolerable and honest way of doing them, according to a recent issue of US human resources magazine Workforce online.

One alternative that has been pilot-tested by Gary B Brumback, the author of the report, is an appraisal done in a question-and-answer format. The questions require yes-or-no answers. Since performance has two parts -- behaviour and results -- the questions must relate to each part. For example,

Did you exceed any of your objectives?
Which objectives, if any, were clearly exceeded, and what were the extra gains?
Were any unexpected and very tough obstacles encountered?
Are there any skills you want and/or need developed?

In all, Brumback reckons about 20 short questions are needed, some of which are required to identify any star performers.

Want to know more?

Title: "A performance appraisal that's better than ratings and rankings", by Gary B Brumback, Workforce, July 2003.

Availability: Workforce is published monthly. For subscription services, tel: 001 313 446 0450 (USA 888 448 1422). Or contact the online editor Todd Raphael for more information, email: raphaelt@workforce.com.

You will need to register to use Workforce online, but it's free. Visit www.workforce.com

Take a look at the article online -- see what you think -- www.workforce.com/section/01/feature/23/48/77/index.html

Posted 1 September 2003