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Description

Performance Appraisal Interviews: Prepare, Assess on Facts and Set Objectives

Two days to conduct annual appraisals that are genuinely useful to the employee and to the department

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

The annual appraisal is often experienced as a formality. The manager completes the form the evening before, the employee discovers criticism that was never raised during the year, and the objectives agreed are forgotten within a week. The exercise consumes time without changing anything in the way the work is done.

These two days cover the preparation, the conduct and the follow-up of the appraisal interview. You will practise assessing performance on observed facts, delivering difficult feedback and setting objectives that the employee can realistically achieve.

Learning objectives

  • Prepare the interview using facts observed throughout the year
  • Structure the flow of the interview and announce its stages
  • Deliver negative feedback by linking it to specific situations
  • Set objectives supported by verifiable success criteria
  • Handle employee requests without making promises that cannot be kept

What makes this programme different

Full interviews role-played and debriefed with a range of employee profiles
Dedicated work on negative feedback that has never been voiced before
A preparation template completed for a real interview you have coming up

Programme

1Preparing an interview that holds up

What is decided before the meeting

  • Gathering the facts observed over the year
  • Reviewing the objectives set and the actual working conditions
  • Preparing the appraisal form and the sensitive points
  • Briefing the employee on how the interview will run

2Conducting the discussion

An interview is not a form-filling exercise

  • Opening the meeting and announcing the stages
  • Giving room to the employee's self-assessment
  • Questions that bring the difficulties encountered to the surface
  • Managing the time between review of the past year and the year ahead

3Saying what is not working

The moment everyone dreads

  • Assessment based on facts rather than impressions
  • Describing a performance gap without generalising
  • Responding to tears, anger or silence
  • Distinguishing between appraisal and disciplinary action

4Setting objectives and securing the follow-up

The interview does not end with the signature

  • Formulating objectives with success criteria
  • Resources and support provided alongside them
  • Handling requests for career development and training
  • Review points scheduled through the year

Who is it for

Managers and team leaders responsible for conducting the annual appraisals of their team members.

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge required

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.