Forced distribution

How it is used

Use when category proportions are imposed; simply ranking people does not always require a forced distribution.

Example sentences

1. The forced distribution required managers to place a fixed share of staff in each category.

   The distribution is constrained before individual assessments are finalised.

2. Managers challenged forced distribution because one team's results were consistently strong.

   A fixed pattern can conflict with evidence about the actual group's performance.

Common collocations

• forced distribution system
• use forced distribution

Related terms

• appraisalA formal assessment of an employee's work over a period, usually in a meeting with their manager; the word is mainly British for a performance review.
• performance reviewA regular formal meeting in which a manager and an employee discuss how well the employee has done their job, agree on a rating and set goals for the next period.

More terms: Performance Management

• KPI
• target
• benchmark
• underperform
• performance improvement plan
• SMART goals
• 360-degree feedback
• talent management
• stretch goal
• balanced scorecard
• strategy map
• management by objectives