Understanding Performance Appraisal vs. Evaluation: Is a Yearly Review Enough for Waiters?

Hello, can anyone explain to me what is the difference between performance appraisal and evaluation? Is it enough for waiters to undergo a yearly evaluation?

Thank you.

Hi,

I guess the basic difference is that one is a process and another is an outcome. An appraisal has to be preceded by evaluation, but the converse is not true. An evaluation need not necessarily lead to an appraisal; it may purely be for providing development opportunities or a basic snapshot/track down of the current level of performance.

Regards,
Dheeraj

Hi,

Operationally, there is NO difference between the two.

Both lead to your/organization's judgment as to the performance of the individual in question. Appraisal sounds more refined than the evaluation, in that one is to "measure" against a yardstick, and the other is to judge (perhaps even without "measuring").

In that sense, appraisal tends to be understood as more "objective," and the evaluation appears to be more "subjective." But this need not necessarily be so, and how it will be depends upon the individual who appraises or evaluates, their training, their competence on the job, and their own personality strengths and weaknesses.

It is the system of appraisal and the training of the appraisers and the organizational culture that decide if the exercise proves helpful or not. In many cases, in the name of "performance appraisal," what actually takes place is "personal appraisals." That would be a disaster. In appraisal, the priority is to appraise the performance ahead of the person.

It is indeed enough to conduct appraisals for the "waiters" on a yearly basis, but the performance must be reviewed, preferably every three months for many reasons, and that applies to all levels of appraisals.

Has your query been answered now?

Regards,

Samvedan

October 2, 2006

Thank you for the reply you gave to my question. I am really impressed and wish to have more any time my questions are thrown, and equally contribute to enhancing knowledge in general. :) :)

Actually, I want all your help. I am looking for points on the topic, "There is no difference between performance appraisal and performance management."

Paul,

Have you searched CiteHR for this? Are you arguing for or against this topic? As other contributors at CiteHR have opined, there is a lot of difference, and Performance appraisal is a sub-set of Performance Management. If you are looking for help to prove otherwise, i.e., there is no difference, I am afraid that I cannot help you.

Simhan A retired academic in the UK

Hi Patricia,

The basic difference between evaluation and performance is that the former is a tool used to measure the strengths and weaknesses of employees, while the latter is used to analyze an individual's weaknesses and provide training to overcome shortcomings. I hope I have made things clear.