Appraisal Systems
and Programs FAQs
Federal agencies are required to establish employee performance appraisal
systems. Some frequently asked questions about Federal employee appraisal
systems and related appraisal programs include:
| ? |
What's the difference
between an appraisal system and an appraisal program? |
| An appraisal system describes the general
policies and parameters for the administration of performance appraisal
programs in the agency. An appraisal program is the specific procedures,
methods, and requirements for planning, monitoring, and rating performance.
To demonstrate the relationship between a system and a program, an
analogy using the construction of a house might be helpful. The system
could be compared to making the outer structure of the house (the
foundation, outer walls, and roof), which establishes the boundaries
for the rest of the construction. The program could be compared to
building the rooms within the house. The rooms have to be within the
boundaries of the outside walls, but there is some freedom to place
the walls and vary room sizes to fit the needs of the family who will
live there. Programs operate the same way. They have to be designed
within the boundaries of the system but can be tailored to the needs
of the organization. |
| ? |
Can an agency have
more than one appraisal system? |
| Yes. Federal employee appraisal law (section
4302(a) of title 5, United States Code) requires Federal agencies
to establish one or more appraisal systems. If an agency finds a need
to describe different general policies and parameters for different
groups of employees who are not in the Senior Executive Service (SES),
it can develop more than one appraisal system. However, the Office
of Personnel Management anticipates that most agencies will not find
it necessary to develop more than one set of general policies and
guidelines. If an agency believes it needs to develop multiple systems,
its designated representative should call the agency's performance
management contact in the Office of Personnel Management to discuss
the agency's special needs. |
| ? |
Can an agency develop
more than one appraisal program? |
| Yes. Agencies can authorize the development
of separate appraisal programs under the framework of their appraisal
system. This would allow their various subcomponents or subpopulations
to determine how best to address their needs and cultures and more
effectively manage individual and organizational performance by tailoring
specific appraisal procedures and requirements to mission and work
technology. |
| ? |
What distinguishes
one program from another? |
At a minimum, these three features must
have a single definition for each program:
- employee coverage,
- appraisal period length, and
- pattern of summary levels for ratings of record.
If multiple definitions are intended for any one of these features,
separate programs must be established. |
| ? |
Can a program include
more than one pattern of summary levels for ratings of record? |
| No. Each program must use a single pattern
of summary levels. To use different summary patterns, agencies must
define separate programs and employee coverage to which a single pattern
applies. However, more than one program can use the same summary pattern.
Within any program, with its single summary pattern, more than
one derivation method to assign the summary level can be used. Also,
different approaches for using elements to plan and appraise performance
can be accommodated under the same summary pattern. |
Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415 | (202) 606-1800 | TTY (202) 606-2532