Appraising the state of performance appraisal.

Relates performance appraisal in the National Health Service to performance management and emphasizes the need for integration of diverse management initiatives. Identifies the multiple purposes of appraisal and a number of perennial issues. Outlines rules of thumb for enabling appraisal systems and states that these form the basis for specifying success (and failure) criteria for the design of appraisal systems. Stresses the importance of the context within which appraisal exists.