What Is a 360 Degree Evaluation?

A 360 degree evaluation, or feedback model, collects and provides feedback on an individual manager's work performance from a variety of knowledgeable sources and stakeholders. In addition to an assessment by the direct supervisor, a 360 degree evaluation model also includes information from subordinates, peers, and customers and a self-assessment by the manager. It is the most comprehensive feedback of overall management style.

Significance

HR.com reports that in 2008 roughly 90 percent of the companies rated Fortune 500 utilize 360 degree feedback.

Use

The 360 degree feedback model is generally not used to determine whether an employee is meeting the essential functions of the job but rather to assess broader corporate competencies such as teamwork, leadership skill and effectiveness of communication.

Types

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) notes that the typical approach, and best practice, for gathering 360 degree feedback is to protect the identity of the feedback giver, serve up 360 degree feedback in a narrative summary, and use the information for forward-looking management development opportunities.

Challenges

Potential pitfalls exist within the 360 feedback system. The process often asks employees who have no performance assessment training to provide input, leading to situations of artificially inflated or deflated ratings based on criteria outside the scope of actual performance. Also the commitment to anonymity, necessary to allow a subordinate to be candid about a superior, limits the ability of the employee receiving the feedback to get the specifics behind the narrative or delve into details.

Considerations

According to Susan Heathfield in her article "360 Degree Feedback; The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (2008), 360 degree feedback is only as valuable a tool as the company makes it. An investment into the entire process, including integration with corporate philosophies and competencies, thoughtful feedback survey questions, and attention to training all involved in the feedback model, will make a 360 degree feedback system successful.

References

• The Society for Human Resource Management
• 360 Degree Feedback; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• HR.com