20+ Performance Appraisal Form Samples in 2024 with Free Templates 

Summary: This article will help you understand and implement performance appraisal. It explains the importance of appraisals in evaluating employee performance and guides on conducting effective appraisals. Also, it gives you a list of appraisal forms offering a variety of templates to ease the appraisal process.

What is Performance Appraisal? 

Performance appraisal is a process used by organizations to assess and evaluate an employee’s job performance and productivity. It involves gathering feedback from supervisors, peers, and subordinates to measure an employee’s achievements, strengths, weaknesses, and other parameters.

The main aim of performance appraisal is to provide constructive feedback, identify gaps for improvement, recognize high-performing individuals, and more.  

Apart from that, it lets the management make decisions related to performance-related rewards, promotions, or training opportunities. Ultimately, performance appraisal aims to enhance individual and organizational performance by aligning employee goals with the overall objectives of an organization.  

By following these steps, organizations can conduct effective performance appraisals that promote employee growth, engagement, and organizational success.   

List of 20+ Performance Appraisal Form Samples 

Here, you will find 20+ performance appraisal forms. Let’s understand them one by one: 

1. Basic Template for Performance Review
2. Template for Employee Performance Evaluation
3. Template for Manager Evaluation Annually
4. Evaluation of Employee Attendance
5. Template for Evaluation of Employee Training
6. Group Evaluation
7. Template for Annual Performance Evaluation
8. Professional Development Evaluation
9. Mid-Year Review Form
10. Form for Self-Evaluation of Employee
11. Template for Peer Review
12. Evaluation of Management Performance
13. Template for 360-Degree Assessment
14. Supervisor Performance Review
15. Department Performance Review
16. Evaluation of Qualitative Performance
17. Questionnaire for Self-Evaluation of Employee
18. Questionnaire for Peer Review
19. Appraisal Form-Forced Ranking
20. Manual Workers Appraisal Form
21. Job Objectives-Based Appraisal Form

1. Basic Template for Performance Review

This is a basic performance appraisal template suitable for situations where detailed feedback is not required. It presents a comprehensive list of performance traits and skills that can be rated on a scale ranging from “Poor” to “Outstanding.” This appraisal sheet also provides a separate section where the reviewer can write additional comments, if necessary.  

2. Template for Employee Performance Evaluation

This is a comprehensive sample form for performance appraisal to be done annually. It provides a detailed evaluation of measurable parameters and skills. Apart from that, it includes a separate space to provide additional comments for each skill.

Furthermore, this form includes sections for self-evaluation, assessment of performance traits, and the employee’s evaluation of their manager.

3. Template for Manager Evaluation Annually

This form assists with a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of managers. It consists of various sections, including one for assessing measurable objectives and another for evaluating management competencies. Additionally, it provides a section for self-evaluation and adding an overall summary of the manager’s performance.

This form assists with a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of managers. It consists of various sections, including one for assessing measurable objectives and another for evaluating management competencies. Additionally, it provides a section for self-evaluation and adding an overall summary of the manager’s performance.

4. Evaluation of Employee Attendance

This employee appraisal form lets you monitor the employee’s leave and attendance records, encompassing both planned and unplanned leaves. This will assist managers in assessing the employee’s total availability (total working hours) to be used for the appraisal process.

5. Template for Evaluation of Employee Training

This evaluation form serves as a valuable tool for establishing training objectives for employees and monitoring their progress over ninety days. It can be done for new employees during their onboarding or for existing employees transitioning to a different role.

6. Form for Group Evaluation

This method is straightforward as it allows for the evaluation of the strengths and shortcomings of a group. Initially, each employee receives individual ratings for specified competencies. Later, an aggregate score is calculated for the entire group based on these individual ratings.

7. Template for Annual Performance Evaluation

This template for performance evaluation is divided into three sections. The first section is dedicated to the individual’s current responsibilities, while the second section is to evaluate their performance, weaknesses, strengths, future goals, etc.

The last section allows for additional feedback or comments. Apart from that, you can use this form to record comprehensive details regarding an individual’s performance.   

8. Professional Development Evaluation

This review form enables the creation of a five-year development strategy for employees. The goals or milestones are categorized as crucial, significant, and long-term to address both immediate and future development requirements. Following this, the performance evaluation is done after any milestone is achieved. 

9. Mid-Year Review Form

This form enables productive and in-depth discussions between employees and managers prior to the process of annual appraisal. It provides an opportunity to review the employees’ progress so far and identify ways to enhance performance further. 

10. Form for Self-Evaluation of Employees

The provided evaluation form offers employees the opportunity to document their job responsibilities, establish goals that align with them, and evaluate their own performance without any bias. By utilizing this form, managers and employees can ensure a mutual understanding of performance.

11. Template for Peer Review

This evaluation form stays anonymous and plays a valuable role in the 360-degree evaluation of an employees’ performance. It consists of a concise set of statements to measure employee performance. Furthermore, the employees must rate their colleagues or teammates from 1-5 on the scale for each parameter.

12. Evaluation of Management Performance

Through this form or a questionnaire, employees can easily share their feedback on managing their organization. The questionnaire is designed to be concise and straightforward. Each question is accompanied by a range of options to be selected as an answer.

Furthermore, there is a dedicated section where employees can share their comments on ways in which the management can enhance their productivity. 

13. Template for 360-Degree Assessment

In this approach, an evaluation form is provided to managers, employees, and peers. This allows all of them to assign different ratings against the statements to define an employee’s focus, leadership skills, communication skills, etc. Towards the end, there is a designated comment box for any additional feedback or remarks.

14. Supervisor Performance Review

By using this evaluation form, employees can offer feedback to their direct supervisors. The form consists of a series of objective-type questions (MCQs) that need to be answered by them, and upon completion, employees can even provide comments on areas where they feel their supervisor can offer support for higher performance.

15. Department Performance Review

Using this feedback form, employees within a department can provide their input regarding the overall performance of a department, its team members, and supervisors. This performance review form consists of a concise questionnaire with a limited number of questions and multiple-choice answers.

16. Evaluation of Qualitative Performance

This form enables a qualitative and detailed evaluation of employees backed by illustrative examples. In this approach, the manager must provide a full explanation of the employee’s strengths, areas where he needs improvement, and their specific achievements, if any. Also, the manager must mention the top three strengths, accomplishments, and goals of an employee.

17. Questionnaire for Self-Evaluation of Employees

This employee self-appraisal form consists of open-ended questions that allow employees to provide detailed answers regarding their career development. It also includes a rating scale to allow them to rate themselves on different performance traits. Additionally, there is an opportunity for employees to write additional comments or feedback, if any.

18. Questionnaire for Peer Review

It is an anonymous form provided to evaluate employees. This involves a 360-degree or complete evaluation of the employees’ performance. It is generally kept precise and comprises a list of detailed statements to describe an employee’s performance. In this, it is necessary for the employee to assign a rating to their peers for each criterion.

19. Appraisal Form-Forced Ranking

This form is appropriate for implementing the forced ranking approach for performance appraisal. It assists managers in determining the way to rank employees.

20. Manual Workers Appraisal Form

This kind of performance appraisal template is created specifically for manual workers. It uses a graphical rating method that includes performance areas or parameters that need to be rated on a scale of A to D, with A indicating “Outstanding” and D indicating “Unsatisfactory” Furthermore, the form also provides space for other generic comments.

21. Job Objectives-Based Appraisal Form

This form requires the documentation of employees’ accomplishments with respect to the predefined objectives. It is important to emphasize areas that require improvement and identify any requirement for training or skill development. Additionally, details regarding the employees’ career planning should also be included.

How to Create an Appraisal Form?

To create an effective performance appraisal form, it becomes important to include essential elements for constructive feedback and complete understanding for the employer and employee. Therefore, it becomes important to customize the form to align it with the organization’s objectives and performance metrics for employee evaluation.

Here is a list of key components to include while designing an appraisal form:

• Rating Rubric: Create a detailed rating rubric by identifying the key objectives of the employee’s role and categorizing them based on different skills and qualities. Use a 5-pointer rating scale to evaluate the employee’s performance against each objective. Apart from that, clearly define the criteria for each rating to ensure consistency in evaluations across various departments. For example:

• Employee’s Achievements: Highlight your employees’ major contributions during the review period. Document their notable accomplishments and successful projects that have positively impacted the success of your organization.
• Areas for Improvement: Identify specific areas where the employee can enhance his performance. This would include factors like punctuality, communication, or any other area requiring improvement to enhance productivity and effectiveness.
• Progress Since Previous Review: Keep on documenting an employee’s progress since the last performance review. Document the steps taken by the employee to achieve their previous goals, providing valuable insights for setting new objectives.
• Employee’s Professional Goals: Collaborate with the employee to establish new professional goals for the upcoming review period. These goals must be ‘SMART’ (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure effective goal setting and achievement.
• Employee Comments: Allocate a section for the employees to share their perspectives and insights. Encourage them to provide feedback on their work, express their thoughts on the role, and communicate their aspirations.

By incorporating these elements into the performance appraisal form, employers can create a comprehensive tool for evaluating employee performance. This would help communicate effectively, align performance expectations, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

4. Acknowledgment: The ratings and feedback provided in the employee appraisals require acknowledgment or confirmation from both employees and supervisors. Appraisal forms typically include the signatures of both parties to validate the appraisal’s accuracy and completeness.

Which Performance Appraisal Format Should We Use?

Performance reviews are challenging due to the intricate nature of the complete process. Selecting the appropriate appraisal format tailored to the unique context of a company can help streamline the appraisal process. Below are two types of performance appraisal formats with illustrative examples that you can consider implementing:

1. 360-Degree Appraisal

This format stands out as one of the most detailed appraisal formats as it incorporates feedback from everyone including the direct manager, team members, and from peers. In some instances, it also involves obtaining feedback from higher management.

This format is suitable for organizations with a huge capacity to allocate sufficient resources and time. Sample questions for the 360-degree performance appraisal format can include:

• Are XYZ’s problem-solving skills effective and easy to understand?
• Does this employee demonstrate leadership on assignments and projects?
• Do you perceive this employee as ethical, trustworthy, and honest?

2. Management by Objectives (MBOs)

MBO is a type of appraisal format, in which, at the commencement of each period (e.g., annually, quarterly, or biennially), the manager and the employee collaboratively set targets that are aligned well with the company’s overall goals. In the end, the employee’s performance is evaluated thoroughly to determine if pay must be increased based on achieving the set objectives.

For SMBs, MBOs are an ultimate appraisal format due to their manageable nature, making them easily managed, monitored, and followed up for sustained business growth. Here are two types of MBOs which are commonly used, include:

Performance Objectives

• Increase mobile app downloads by 15% through conducting at least 5 experiments to enhance user experience.
• Reach 10,000 additional customers who use our product at least once a week by integrating it with a new feature.

Personal Development Objectives

• Master Google Analytics to independently extract the required data effectively.
• Enhance work relationships by actively participating in the team lunchtime.

How to Conduct an Effective Performance Appraisal?

Conducting an effective performance appraisal involves careful planning and implementation. Here are some steps to follow:

• Set Clear Expectations: Clearly communicate performance expectations and goals to employees in advance. This sets the standard for evaluation and helps employees understand what is expected of them.
• Gather Performance Data: Collect relevant information about the employee’s performance, including feedback from supervisors, peers, and subordinates. Apart from that, self-evaluation, customer feedback, and performance metrics can also be taken into consideration. 
• Provide Timely Feedback: Schedule a one-on-one meeting with every employee to discuss their performance. Give specific examples to support your feedback and focus on both strengths and areas needing improvement. Also, offer guidance on how to enhance their performance. 
• Encourage Two-Way Communication: Allow the employee to express their views, concerns, and ask questions. Listen actively and show empathy to have constructive communication. 
• Goal Setting and Development Plans: Collaboratively set future performance goals, based on the employee’s current performance. Discuss career aspirations and identify areas for skill development or training opportunities. 
• Document the Appraisal: Maintain accurate records of the performance appraisal, including goals, feedback, and development plans. This ensures consistency and serves as a reference for future appraisals. 
• Monitor Performance Throughout the Year: Performance appraisal should not be an annual event. Regularly monitor and provide feedback on performance, allowing for continuous improvement. This helps create a continuous learning and growth-oriented culture. 
• Fairness and Objectivity: Ensure fairness and objectivity by evaluating performances on measurable criteria and using standardized rating scales or performance indicators. Avoid personal biases and maintain consistency across the appraisal process. 
• Follow-up and Support: Always be available to provide ongoing support and coaching to employees, assisting them in achieving their goals and addressing performance-related challenges. 

Key Takeaways 

• With the help of performance evaluation, organizations can establish a robust performance appraisal process that aligns individual goals with organizational objectives.
• For evaluating the performance of employees, organizations can use pre-designed performance appraisal forms/templates that cater to different evaluation needs and are available in different formats.  
• Using the appraisal forms, organizations undertake appraisal processes for their employees to ensure fairness and provide them with constructive feedback.
• Apart from that, appraisal forms help management in identifying development and improvement areas for their employees.

Performance Appraisal Form Sample FAQs