Indian Navy adopts 360 degree appraisal system

In a bid have an agile, adaptive, and advanced human resource management, the Indian Navy has institutionalized a novel transformative initiative of ‘360 Degree Appraisal Mechanism’ for various promotion boards, an official press release said.

The present appraisal mechanism of periodic confidential reports by senior officers has an inherent limitation of a top-down approach, as it does not cater for or quantify a leader’s impact on subordinates. The 360 Degree Appraisal Mechanism is aimed to address this shortfall by encompassing large-scale surveys from suitably identified peers and subordinates for every officer being considered for promotion, said the release.

The survey comprises a spectrum of questions, encompassing aspects such as professional knowledge, leadership attributes, suitability in war and crisis, and the potential for holding higher ranks. Inputs, thus obtained, are suitably quantified for independent analyses by a nominated Board of Officers, headed by a Flag Officer. This will also be provided as feedback to the officers to effect behavioral changes and improvements.

Similar appraisal systems are in vogue in various national and international learning organisations. The Indian Navy takes pride in imbibing such best practices and this initiative is in continuation of other endeavors towards remaining a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof Force,’ the release said.