ABSTRACT
The changes that organisations have gone through in recent years, and their continuing evolution, make it even more essential that appraisal practices are developed that offer a degree of tailoring to the context and circumstances of the different parts of an organisation. Consultation with the main stakeholders in formulating the appraisal scheme is crucial to the success of this. The shift in organisational structures and in particular the move to 'flatter' hierarchies has implications for who contributes to the appraisal of an individual. The range and level of staff covered by appraisal arrangements have increased, and this also requires a more flexible approach to ensure that the process is relevant to their varying needs. The administration of appraisal schemes is still often too cumbersome, with an excessive emphasis on forms. While the growing role of IT in delivering the appraisal process can lead to swifter and more efficient operation of the scheme, the more ambitious use of computers in appraisal.
