Frequently Asked Questions About Performance Management, Performance Appraisals, Employee Reviews, Appraisal Forms and More

Is A Performance Review The Same As a Performance Appraisal?

Basically, the terms performance review and performance appraisal mean exactly the same thing. Different companies use somewhat different words to describe the process of sitting down (manager and employee) to discuss, appraise, or review performance. There are other terms that also mean the same thing. Here are some synonyms:

• employee review
• annual review
• annual performance review
• performance evaluation
• employee evaluation

We prefer terms that stress that the employee and manager work together to discuss performance, rather than terms that focus on the idea that it's the manager's job to appraise or evaluate employee performance. We recommend that companies call them reviews or discussions rather than appraisals or evaluations.

However, it's worth noting an important exception. Performance management does not mean the same thing as these other terms.

See also: What Is Performance Management? and
What Is The Difference Between Performance Management and Performance Appraisal?