What must be established to effectively begin the performance appraisal process?

To effectively begin the performance appraisal process, establishing performance standards is essential. Performance standards provide a clear benchmark against which employee performance can be measured. These standards define the expected outcomes, behaviors, and competencies that employees should exhibit in their roles.

Having well-defined performance standards ensures that both employees and their supervisors have a mutual understanding of what constitutes successful performance. This clarity helps in setting specific goals and expectations, facilitating a more objective evaluation during the appraisal process. It allows for consistency in assessments across different employees and can enhance fairness in the evaluation process.

In contrast, while employee incentives, company culture, and supervisory training are all important components of an effective performance management system, they are not the foundational elements needed to initiate the appraisal process itself. Without clear performance standards, any evaluation conducted could lack structure and lead to subjective judgments rather than an objective assessment of employee performance.