Annual performance reviews are an example of what type of feedback?

• A. Annual performance reviews are informal feedback.
• B. Annual performance reviews are an example of formal feedback.
• C. They have no connection to goals.
• D. They are not used in most organizations.

Answer: (B)

Annual performance reviews are formal feedback. They are scheduled, structured, and documented assessments that evaluate how well someone has performed against predefined goals or competencies over a specific period. The formality comes from a standardized framework, written records, and typically a formal meeting, which makes the feedback official and traceable. This kind of feedback is often linked to development plans, promotions, pay decisions, or other formal actions within an organization.

Informal feedback, by contrast, is casual, ongoing, and not typically recorded in a formal process. And performance reviews are generally part of the broader performance-management approach used by many organizations, rather than something rare or uncommon.