I am currenlty writing a training package on personnel development reviews. To ground our managers in why we appraise staff I am looking into the history of management etc. I can't seem to find anything on when the first system was used and where.
Can anyone shed any light?
jayne williams
5 Responses
History performance reviews
Hi
Try Practical Performance Appraisal by Professor Andrew Stewart
ISBN 0 566 02081 6
Good historical background dovetails with modern day practicalities
William
Strange but (probably) true
I’m told that the first recorded formal written appraisal system that we would recognise today was deployed by the Jesuits – starting in the late 16th Century. However, there have been claims that Sun Tzu had a system in place back in 500BC. When looking for the origins of any initiative in HR it is usually safe to start your search either with the church or the military!
Whilst systems and the technology used to deliver them have changed, the basic principles remain the same.
I’m not sure how much use this information will be to your cause, but it is safe to say that the Jesuits as an organisation grew and lasted through a wide range of social, economic and political changes. Perhaps having robust appraisal system and strong management helped.
Light
I seem to remember that the Ten Commandments were an early set of KRA’s
Yes I believe it is the Chinese
I have seen references to the chinese “civil service” circa 600BC having a formal performance review process.
Ancient appraisal
I have just done some work with Chinese civil servants on appraisal. The term they use is (or sounds like) pingu, which also means evaluation. They deny knowledge of such systems as far back as 600BC, but I would not take that as definitive.
However, about 2000BC, the Babylonians had the code of Hammurabi. In this artisans were encouraged to teach and mentor adopted children. Integral to their apprenticeship was regular appraisal of their work.
Could this be the earliest formal appraisal?
As far as mainstream UK companies are concerned it first came in in the 1920s. I have a short handout giving a bit of the history of staff appraisal in the West, if you would like a copy just post your e-mail.