Comments on: Microsoft ditches forced ranking http://www.successfactors.com/blogs/business-execution/microsoft-ditches-forced-ranking/ Execution is the Difference. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:55:50 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Robert Bacal http://www.successfactors.com/blogs/business-execution/microsoft-ditches-forced-ranking/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Robert Bacal Sat, 18 Aug 2007 03:06:20 +0000 http://10.50.0.97/wordpress/workforce-performance/index.php/microsoft-ditches-forced-ranking/#comment-150 A number of companies have abandoned forced ranking, or rank and yank. Some have done so as a result of successful legal challenges, and others because it has unpleasant side-effects. With all due respect to my colleague, Dick Grote, forced ranking, even statistically speaking, and when it is done optimally, cannot possibly work over the long term. It works if a) you have a low talent workplace, b) have a tool of replacement talent that can replace your poor talent, and c) have a selection process that has improved since you hired the poor talent. As your talent improves your chances of hiring better replacements drops. Aside from that, the side effects of yanking a certain percentage of people competitively are so severe that any improvements, even in the early stages, will be only transient. It's also unfair. A number of companies have abandoned forced ranking, or rank and yank. Some have done so as a result of successful legal challenges, and others because it has unpleasant side-effects. With all due respect to my colleague, Dick Grote, forced ranking, even statistically speaking, and when it is done optimally, cannot possibly work over the long term.

It works if a) you have a low talent workplace, b) have a tool of replacement talent that can replace your poor talent, and c) have a selection process that has improved since you hired the poor talent.

As your talent improves your chances of hiring better replacements drops.

Aside from that, the side effects of yanking a certain percentage of people competitively are so severe that any improvements, even in the early stages, will be only transient. It’s also unfair.

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