How Do I Create a Normal Distribution Curve for Appraisal Ratings? Seeking Guidance!

Can anyone tell me how to make the normal distribution curve once the appraisals are done? For example, if we have a 5-point rating and the data is as follows:
1 15
2 20
3 145
4 30
5 10
How do we make a normal distribution curve? If anyone has experience or knowledge of making the curve, kindly help me. Waiting for your reply.

Regards,
Nirali Desai

Hey Nirali,

Normal distribution curves can be created in MS-Excel. I am providing an example of a normal curve department-wise. First of all, you must have the ideal numbers for all ratings. For example, in most organizations, the ideal percentages are as follows:
- Rating 5 (Excellent) - 10%
- Rating 4 (Very Good) - 35%
- Rating 3 (Good) - 45%
- Rating 2 (Average) - 7%
- Rating 1 (Below Average) - 3%

This means that if in any particular department there are a total of 100 people, then:

Rating | Desired Numbers | Actual Numbers
5 | 10 | 15
4 | 35 | 42
3 | 45 | 38
2 | 7 | 3
1 | 3 | 2

Now, you can draw a normal curve by selecting this data in an Excel sheet to illustrate the gap between the desired and actual curves. Graphs can be easily made in Excel: insert -> chart -> Line Chart -> choose the third option among the choices of charts. I hope this information will be helpful to you. In case you still face any difficulty, we can discuss this further through this thread. Please find the attachment for your reference.

Regards,
Ritu07

Hi Ritu,

Thank you a lot for your help, but the graph in the attachment is a line graph and not a curve. There is a scientific method for drawing the curve where you have to calculate the mean or standard deviation. I wanted to know how the curve can be drawn using this method. If you know about this, please do reply. How is it done in organizations?

Thanks once again.

Regards,
Nirali Desai

Fitting the curve is the most intriguing thing I find about appraisals.

Can anyone explain the rationale of trying to fit the curve? Shouldn't you just try to use the appraisal data you have compiled without having to massage it?