What does the term 'peer review' refer to in performance evaluation?

The term 'peer review' in performance evaluation specifically refers to the feedback provided by colleagues regarding an individual's performance. This process involves individuals at similar levels within an organization evaluating one another's work, which helps to provide a more holistic and rounded view of an employee's contributions and areas for improvement.

Peer reviews can be beneficial because they often reflect a different perspective than what supervisors might provide, potentially highlighting strengths and weaknesses that may not be evident through traditional supervisory assessments. This method encourages collaboration and communication amongst team members and can foster a culture of continuous improvement as individuals receive constructive feedback from their peers.

In contrast, assessments conducted by supervisors focus more on management perspectives and official evaluations rather than interpersonal insights. A formal evaluation by external reviewers typically applies to outside parties assessing an individual or organization, while self-assessment targets an individual's own reflection on their goals and performance rather than collective input from colleagues. Thus, peer review is distinguished by its collaborative approach and its emphasis on feedback from those who work closely with the individual being evaluated.