Which appraisal technique focuses on documenting specific incidents of behavior to guide evaluations?

• A. 360-Degree Feedback Evaluation Method
• B. Work Standards Method
• C. Critical Incident Method
• D. Ranking Method

Answer: (C)

The Critical Incident Method records specific, observable incidents of behavior that illustrate how well someone performs. By compiling concrete examples of actions—both effective and problematic—supervisors have tangible evidence to base evaluations and development plans on, rather than relying on vague impressions. This makes feedback concrete and actionable, linking performance to real events like “handled a customer complaint calmly and resolved the issue” or “missed a key deadline due to poor prioritization.” It’s different from other methods: 360-Degree Feedback gathers input from multiple sources, but isn’t defined by incident-focused documentation; the Work Standards Method centers on meeting predefined standards rather than particular incidents; the Ranking Method orders employees without emphasizing specific behavioral episodes.