A Large Project Engineering Company Assigns Engineering, Purchasing, Marketing and Support

question 18

Essay

A large project engineering company assigns engineering, purchasing, marketing and support staff to client-based projects, which last anywhere from four months to one year. These project staff report to both the project leader and the manager of their functional specialization. For example, a marketing employee in Project Z would receive day-to-day instructions from the Project Z manager, but would receive career development guidance from the company's director of marketing. The functional manager also places employees in future projects. In the past, project staff were evaluated by the employee's project leader at the time of the annual performance evaluation. However, some employees complained that they had just started the project, so the project leader didn't know their performance. The company wants to introduce a 360-degree feedback process to overcome this and other problems with the performance evaluation system. Describe the specific characteristics of a 360-degree feedback process for project staff at this company and identify two problems that the company should know about 360-degree feedback systems.

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Definitions:

Health Insurance

A type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses incurred by the insured, often provided as a workplace benefit.

Retirement Savings Plans

Financial arrangements designed to help individuals save and invest money for their retirement, often offering tax advantages and employer contributions.

Pension Plans

Financial programs established by employers to provide retirement income to employees, funded during their working years.

Mandatory Benefit

Employment benefits that an employer is legally required to provide to employees, such as social security and workers' compensation.