Lockett’s barriers to appraisal
Lockett’s appraisal barriers describe ways a review can lose its developmental purpose: confrontation, one-sided judgement, purposeless chat, bureaucracy, unfinished business and an isolated annual event. The framework helps diagnose why meetings fail to produce constructive action. Useful appraisal needs evidence, participation, agreed future actions and continuing feedback rather than a form completed only to satisfy an administrative requirement.
Worked example
A manager completes every box on an appraisal form but agrees no development actions and never revisits the discussion. The process has become bureaucracy, while treating it as a once-a-year requirement also weakens continuing improvement.
Common mistake
Do not present Lockett as the originator of stakeholder corporate-social-responsibility theory. These barriers concern how appraisal is conducted, not six compulsory interview stages.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |