Question-and-answer format for appraisals

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Question-and-answer format for appraisals

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