Definition
A performance evaluation technique where managers document specific examples of effective and ineffective employee behaviors throughout the review period. Basically keeping receipts, but for HR purposes.
Example Usage
Using the critical incident method, the manager had recorded twelve specific examples of the employee's exceptional customer service over six months.
Origin
Developed by psychologist John Flanagan during World War II for pilot selection
Fun Fact
Despite being evidence-based and fair, the critical incident method is rarely used because managers find documenting incidents throughout the year too time-consuming.
Source: Performance management methodology from industrial-organizational psychology
Related Terms
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