720 Degree Performance Appraisal and its stages

In forming a successful business, performance management is an important part of the responsibility. HR staff, executive leaders, and managers have the same weight of responsibility towards their employees to help provide training and feedback so that the work can be done successfully.

During his tenure, a comprehensive performance management system is required to guide employees effectively. This can help businesses to get maximum performance results from each employee. In the context of a company, you might consider this method for the appraisal process.

What is 720-degree performance appraisal?

Quoting from TechFunnel, the International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research provides a definition of 720-degree performance appraisal as a process that occurs when an employee is assessed from five dimensions. Feedback or assessment meetings are conducted twice (before and after feedback) to ensure efficient performance.

Including before and after feedback which plays an important role, 720-degree performance appraisal has seven phases. Behind the name, the logic of the entire series of processes can be interpreted according to the description of what happens to employees. If a 360 review is a complete review that includes a holistic view of performance, a 720-degree performance appraisal is even more thorough, comprehensive and useful.

This appraisal method is also more transparent based on consistent feedback. This is considered capable of producing more employees who are engaged and feel valued, respected, and that their contributions and success are important to the future of the organization. Ultimately, employee relations will result in better retention thereby reducing costs and lost productivity for the company.

Important Stages in 720-degree Performance Appraisal

A series of performance appraisal processes is considered an indicator of fair assessment for employees. Therefore, each company can determine the most appropriate methodology, such as the 720-degree performance appraisal process series below.

1. Pre-appraisal feedback

Before a manager or supervisor sits down with an employee, feedback will be gathered from all important touch points. It is important to know who employees interact with and be able to consider their performance.

Managers and human resources (HR) teams work to determine who these valuable feedback points are. They also have the task of setting targets and objectives to be achieved in official assessments.

2. Self-appraisal

In the appraisal process, the way an employee views himself is also no less important. Using self-report questionnaires, employees fill out performance reviews of themselves, ranking and assessing their strengths, weaknesses, performance, etc.

This method will be a useful discussion tool in the performance appraisal process. It is intended to help managers and employees see gaps in communication or understanding and try to overcome them.

3. Peer assessment

Feedback from coworkers can be very useful in helping employees understand the impact of the team and their contribution to team dynamics. Cultural fit is a measure of success that can be used as a metric to understand how an employee relates to his colleagues.

4. Customer assessment

Customer satisfaction is the key to the success of any business and organization. It is important for companies to have an understanding of their employees' abilities to relate well to and serve their customer base. This is an indication of overall success in achieving your company's goals.

Sometimes the customer is not a client, but rather another business department. An example of a situation like this could occur with employees in the IT department. For an IT Support person, serving employees is the "customer" of the IT team. These relationships are equally valuable for ensuring long-term business success.

5. Direct reports and assessments of subordinates

Getting feedback from people managed or supervised by a manager will also be useful for analyzing organizational, communication, motivation, leadership, and delegation skills. Therefore, feedback is needed from team members to the manager or division head.

6. Manager or supervisor assessment

This is one of the most common parts of a performance appraisal system. Each employee's performance, responsibility and attitude will be assessed by those who supervise the project as a form of success in their work.

7. Post appraisal feedback

Researchers of the 720-degree performance appraisal methodology note that this is the main differentiator from other methods. This final stage includes additional guidance to help employees achieve goals and stay in regular communication with their managers.

In general, the assessment process is needed to evaluate and reflect on the potential of employees. This can also be obtained through supporting programs such as the Customized Assessment Program. Through this process, you can find key steps to engage employees and find out their productivity.