Case 7.4 Customer-Driven HR Electronic Appraisal: Using Performance Review Software Many managers avoid performance appraisals because the task makes them uncomfortable. Some managers may not do a very good job of appraising the performance levels of their workers. A growing number of companies are now offering technology that promises to solve these difficulties. A number of software programs can make the rating task a paperless process. Further, some performance review software even automates improvement suggestions. For instance, clicking a below-average score on a performance dimension could automati- cally generate the text of a performance review that identifies the performance as deficient and recommends steps that the employee should take to improve performance. Depending on the vendor, electronic performance review sys- tems can use generic goals and competencies as evaluation criteria or they can be customized so that organizationally specific goals and competencies are used. The software can report the extent to which an employee has contributed to the goals of the organization