Which statement best describes the difference between annual performance reviews and continuous, ongoing feedback?

Which statement best describes the difference between annual performance reviews and continuous, ongoing feedback?

• A. Annual reviews summarize performance for a period; continuous feedback provides ongoing guidance.
• B. Continuous feedback summarizes performance for a period; annual reviews provide ongoing guidance.
• C. Both approaches are essentially the same in function.
• D. Continuous feedback delays development.

Answer: (A)

Annual performance reviews capture how someone has performed over a defined period, usually a year, and result in a formal summary with ratings and a development plan. Continuous, ongoing feedback happens throughout that period, offering timely coaching and guidance so behavior and skills can be adjusted as work unfolds. That distinction is why the statement describing annual reviews as summarizing performance for a period and continuous feedback as providing ongoing guidance is the best choice. The other options either reverse the roles, claim they’re the same, or state that continuous feedback delays development, which isn’t how ongoing feedback is intended to work.

Annual performance reviews capture how someone has performed over a defined period, usually a year, and result in a formal summary with ratings and a development plan. Continuous, ongoing feedback happens throughout that period, offering timely coaching and guidance so behavior and skills can be adjusted as work unfolds. That distinction is why the statement describing annual reviews as summarizing performance for a period and continuous feedback as providing ongoing guidance is the best choice. The other options either reverse the roles, claim they’re the same, or state that continuous feedback delays development, which isn’t how ongoing feedback is intended to work.