A 360 degree appraisal is a report generated using the results of opinions on one person from others who have an opinion.

To do this and generate meaningful results – the questions asked are appropriate to the person being appraised and these questions circulated in the form of a questionnaire to those asked to comment. The questionnaire is based on ‘observable' behaviours fundamental to each role, or generic throughout the organisation.

The report generated after the questionnaires are returned contains powerful information for both the person themselves and potentially for the organisation.

Typically the information for the person will show:

• Key areas of strength.
• Key development areas.

Both the above are very useful for a personal development plan.

• Differences in perception - for example the manager may score high - the direct reports low.
• Comments from others as to how the person could improve - and what are perceived as their strong points.

The organisation can then use combined individual reports to determine if there are wide common development needs and compare differences between groups.

Both the individual reports and the organisation reports are generated confidentially (i.e. the names of the people completing questionnaires are not associated with the finished report).

Typically, an appraisee will be appraised by around 8 people (appraisors). The appraisors will be from different groups for example the persons' manager, several peers, several direct reports and the appraisee will comment on themselves (self). Customers and Stakeholders can also be included.

There are seven key stages to the process:

.1. Design and development of the questionnaires and reports.

.2. Collecting the names of the people who need a 360 degree.

.3. Collecting the names of the people who require a questionnaire.

.4. Distributing the questionnaires.

.5. Collecting the completed questionnaires and through analysis generating the reports.

.6. Distributing the ‘individual' reports.

.7. Generation of Management Information.