Conducting Effective Appraisals

Who Will Benefit

Those managers who conduct formal performance appraisal reviews with staff.

What Will I Learn?

By the end of this course you will be able to:

Explain the aims of appraisal and performance management

Describe the relationship between appraisal, performance, development and organisational effectiveness

Prepare and conduct effective appraisals

Set SMART objectives

Course Outline

• The Purpose and Benefits of Appraisal: appraisal as an effective management tool; why appraisal sometimes does not work; the appraisee’s view; continuous appraisal.

• Reviewing the Job: the key results areas; the job holder’s perception of their role; clarifying standards; encouraging the appraisee to prepare for the review.

• Preparing to Appraise: using job descriptions as yardsticks to assess performance; establishing ideal aims versus acceptable standards of performance; assessing the job holder’s performance; preparing the job holder.

• The Appraisal Interview: the structure; reviewing performance - making praise genuine and making criticism constructive; helping job holders appraise themselves; handling disciplinary issues assertively; getting the job holder’s commitment to improve; getting the job holder to participate; using questions; listening skills; managing 'difficult' appraisees.

• Setting Targets: agreeing meaningful targets and objectives with established deadlines and standards; sticking to targets - reviews, follow-ups, moving goalposts; establishing training and development needs.

• Completing the Paperwork: the importance and relevance of the appraisal form; the advantages of alternative formats; useful contributions and avoiding the 'school report'.

• Common Problems: apathetic staff who won’t ‘join in’; defensive staff who won’t accept criticism; appraisal and pay; common disciplinary situations in appraisal; the high flyer to whom we have little to offer.

• Action Plan: participants plan and discuss what they will do on return to work.