Information Technology Dark Side

This is an old post, but I think it’s worth re-posting, just based on the fact that the review cycle is coming around again and performance reviews are in the forefront of our thoughts. I believe the typical performance evaluation is fundamentally flawed in two ways: first, it strives to be objective, to reduce performance to something entirely measurable, formulaic, and devoid of the need for good human judgment. Second, it is almost entirely backward looking. I think the basic question

of performance reviews should be changed. Instead of asking “What value did you provide last year?”, the process should ask “Based on the value you provided last year, what value do we expect to get out of you this year?” The difference is subtle, but important – why should my pay be based on work I did? Shouldn’t it be based on the work I’m expected to do?

Anyway, here’s the old post: The Honestly Subjective Performance Review

Stumble it!