I just left a job in consulting. All the professionals were projectized. We'd work on something for a client an move to the next project. Some had short project some had long projects. The model there was to write review for the person's performance on the project. At the end of the year, you'd pull together all the project reviews you had, all your billable hours, special projects (to benefit the firm) and be rated overall. The to ensure that the process was "fair and balanced" we'd rate EVERYONE in the firm at a particular level during a grueling 2 day session. So if people came into the process with "5" (the best) we'd normalize based on billable hours and other metrics. Many who were 5's were clear cut, it was the people on the cusp of a rank that we'd battle over. They claimed that pay was not tied to it, since the Partners decided pay raises and bonuses. We all knew that was bull****. Throughout the year, you had a "coach" that was supposed to make sure that you were getting things done, keeping hours up, getting training, etc. Mostly you didn't work for your coach.
3 was normal performance and was considered "good" - nobody wanted that.
Overall, a 3 would still get you a raise. A 2 would get you some counseling, a 1 should have got you fired (only a Partner could do that). I actually handed out a 2 last year and a 1 this year. Overall. I told my "coachees" that it was very clear cut what you had to do to succeed and it made my job as a coach very easy.
I'd work my ASS off to get a good rating since that directly affected my pay. I knew what the metric were and what boxes I needed to check. At my level new or follow on business and billable hours ruled. I could have punked a client and done great in those categories and probably survived, but I really focused on doing a good job.
When I'd write a project review, I would provide specific feedback for folks. I had people thank me for being specific and honest. I am tough to please, but I think I was fair and nobody told me I wasn't.
I just took a government job. The expectations are WAY different. This was a former client and I'm still in the "impress the boss" mode. It doesn't matter. We have a defined step increase/cost of living system. None of my staff in "impress the new boss" (me) mode. It's really disheartening. Many are at the top of their grade, so there's little I can do to motivate them, they'll get paid their COLA and that's it. There are some situations in the gov't where and employee can be paid more (due to seniority) than the boss. Weird. It's very different for me. Plus, the place is a real mess and there are a lot of personality difficulties all over.
So I have chosen to focus on something else. What can I learn and what skills I can take to the next job. A "neutral" review won't hurt me, they can't take money away or demote me (just marginalize). Right now, I'm probably out performing their expectations, but not my own. Ah well, I'll look at it as my W-2 is my review. I'll learn to be fine with that. In this economy, I'm glad to not be out schmozing clients and killing myself against my peers. I have time to do stuff in the garage and hang out with my kids.