Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Management Practice Test

Which appraisal method relies significantly on the supervisor's ability to articulate observations?

1. Essay appraisal

2. Performance metrics

3. Critical incident appraisal

4. Peer reviews

The correct answer is: Essay appraisal

The essay appraisal method involves a supervisor writing a detailed narrative that describes an employee's performance over a particular period. This approach requires supervisors to clearly and effectively articulate their observations regarding the employee's strengths, weaknesses, contributions, and areas for improvement. Since the feedback is predominantly subjective and based on the supervisor’s personal perspective, their ability to communicate these observations is crucial. In contrast, performance metrics rely on quantifiable data and statistics to assess an employee's performance, making them less dependent on subjective observations. Critical incident appraisals focus on specific instances of particularly good or poor performance, emphasizing particular events rather than an overarching narrative. Peer reviews gather feedback from co-workers, which diversifies the perspective but does not center on a supervisor's observations or narrative skills. Therefore, the essay appraisal method uniquely highlights the importance of the supervisor's ability to articulate their insights.