What is a 360-Degree Appraisal?

A 360-Degree Appraisal is a comprehensive performance review method that gathers feedback from various perspectives, including superiors, subordinates, peers, and sometimes even clients. This multifaceted approach ensures that an individual’s performance is assessed not just from a single viewpoint, but from multiple sources, providing a well-rounded view of their contributions and areas for improvement.

This inclusive feedback mechanism allows for a more objective assessment, as it captures diverse insights on an individual's performance and behavior within the organization. By integrating feedback from different roles, the appraisal helps highlight strengths and identifies weaknesses that an individual may not be aware of, facilitating personal and professional development. This thorough evaluation is particularly valuable in promoting accountability and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace.

In comparison, other options focus on narrower evaluations or specific aspects of performance. For instance, performance evaluations that include managers only don’t provide the holistic view that a 360-degree evaluation does. Similarly, an appraisal primarily focused on personal development misses the collaborative aspect of gathering diverse feedback. Lastly, an interview technique used for employee feedback is not a performance appraisal method but rather a strategy for obtaining information about employee experiences or perspectives.