General Questions

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.