Hi,
A performance appraisal (PA), also referred to as a performance review, performance evaluation, (career) development discussion, or employee appraisal is a method by which the job performance of an employee is documented and evaluated.
Basically, the terms performance review and performance appraisal mean exactly the same thing. Different companies use somewhat different words to describe the process of sitting down (manager and employee) to discuss, appraise, or review performance. There are other terms that also mean the same thing. Here are some synonyms:
employee review
annual review
annual performance review
performance evaluation
employee evaluation