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Performance Now! (version 2.01). Petaluma, CA: KnowledgePoint, 1994, for Windows approx. $169.
Reviewed by Rick S. Tallarigo, Senior Consultant, HRStrategies, Inc., Melbourne, FL.
Development of user-friendly software specialized for human resource practitioners appears to be growing. One example of so-called "MBA-ware" is Performance Now! (PN). PN is one of at least four automated performance appraisal systems now available. Automated performance appraisal? Given the complexities and vagaries of rater accuracy, rater errors, cognitive processes, format effects, and legalities, the idea of a packaged point-and-shoot appraisal initially struck me as dangerously simplistic. After examining the content, features, and mechanics of the program, however, I believe the product can be useful in many (certainly not all) settings. The reason lies largely in the multi-faceted design of the product: PN is both a form generator allowing a degree of customization plus a resource for practical advice on conducting appraisals.
The system is premised on a four-step model for conducting performance reviews: (a) gathering information about the ratee's performance, (b) generating the review, (c) discussing developmental goals with the ratee, and (d) finalizing the review based upon the discussion.
Methods for the first step include interviewing the ratee, asking the ratee to conduct a self-review, and checking relevant job descriptions, previous reviews, and the rater's notes from the review period. During this stage, the software can assist the rater in a number of ways. PN can generate a blank review form that can be given to the ratee to obtain self-ratings. This information can then be used as a discussion framework later in the process. A logical extension of this would be to generate sufficient forms to accommodate multi-rater feedback from the ratee's peers, subordinates or customers (if any). Using PN in an automated multi-rater fashion may be possible given the recent upgrade to local area network (LAN) capability available in version 2.01.
A second way the product can assist in this first step is by a built-in utility that allows importing job...