Performance-driven appraisal

If you are not a 'yet another nerd' working for a Software services company, you might not have heard the phrase 'Performance-driven' appraisal quite often! The definition of appraisal says "appraisal [n] - the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth". In this context, we are talking about a poor (based on his state and not his/her wallet) software engineer who is promised about being classified into 'buckets' purely based on his/her performance. The best 'bucket' gets you more money and a better chance to get promoted (at least as per the book) and vice versa. It's such an interesting concept in itself and when you are not the person in question, it's real fun to watch the whole thing. I thought of adopting a story-telling mode for this post to make it all the more lively...

Ramu (that's the default name in all Indian stories isn't it) is a brilliant environmental engineer who can talk fluently in English (importantly say his name correctly) and has a decent score in his exams (I said brilliant and this should be implicit). His college being one of the top 200 in the state that has 210 colleges, a great software company, let's call it tnazingoc visits the campus for recruiting freshers. Out of the 300 who attend the aptitude tests, 299 are short-listed for the interview round and quite obviously Ramu was one of them. Tnazingoc decides to have a short and sweet interview round considering the number of students attending and the time factor. Ramu's interview is scheduled at 3:51 PM and by the time he gets into the room it's 5:30 PM. The interviewer has a stern look and gave all symptoms of putting forth the toughest question that one could imagine. Finally the conversation starts -

Interviewer: "What is your name"...
Ramu: "Ramu sir"
I: Good! Could you tell us about yourself Ramu?
R: I'm Ramu... Environmental Engineer from Annai Arulmigu Anandavally college of Engineering with a CGPA of 8.993. I'm the only son of my parents and my hobbies are reading, playing cricket and watching movies.
I: Great! Thanks Mr. Ramu. It was nice speaking to you! Please wait outside. We'll get back to you.

One phrase that jeopardizes any interview candidate is "We'll get back to you!" - nothing is committed, no answer given! Ramu waits outside the placement hall with half of his nails gone and finally the company representative shows up and announces the list of candidates selected.

"Based on the stringent evaluation of the candidates, we are pleased to announce that 295 candidates have been selected by Tnazingoc. The names are... Raghu B.E. Mech, Ramu B.E Env Engg, Seetha B.E Instrumentation, ...". Ramu feels ecstatic about his achievement not knowing what is waiting for him...

After a lead time and a so called training he gets into the actual stadium - a huge building with high tech infrastructure and 1000s of employees generating constant waves of sound through their keyboards. Ramu gets introduced to his team leader Bharath and his project manager Ashok. Being quite brilliant Ramu manages to write some good programs within a short span. Appreciations all around make him feel as if he is God. Then comes the appraisal season. A lot of co-workers staying late, some getting certifications in technologies, some working hard to manage their work and other's work; and Ramu being a first-timer didn't realize that they are getting ready for appraisal. Finally, Ramu's appraisal meeting was scheduled and he walks into a conference room with a glass table, costly chairs and vibrant interior decor. Ashok and Bharath spoiled the beauty of the room by their presence but the lead and the manager had to be there for his meeting. The conversation starts...

Ashok: Hi Ramu! Wazzup?
Ramu: Pretty much the usual stuff Ashok. Working on a data model for the new project.
Ashok: Good! We are greatly impressed by your performance. Bharath in particular gave a wonderful feedback about you. He thinks you are a stellar performer. (Ramu gives a broad smile good enough for a dentist to treat him. Bharath keeps nodding all along whether Ashok's statement needs an acknowledgment or not) It's our pleasure to give you the second bucket for all your contributions.
R: (Thinks WTF) But Ashok... why second bucket? Why not first?
A: That is where it gets tricky Ramu. We have so many other experienced folks in the team who desperately need some recognition. Usually we give the third bucket to new comers but in your case you deserved a lot better rating and that's why we gave you a second bucket.
R: :(
A: Don't worry Ramu. You will surely get the first bucket and a promotion next time.
R: :) Thanks Ashok.

A year passed like a jiffy and Ramu's profile is really great now. He's done a lot in the past year and he's sure about getting positive results. A different room with the same faces and the discussion starts...

Ashok: Here comes the man... Please sit down Ramu.
Ramu: Thanks Ashok.
A: You've done a great job Ramu. I could see you spin around the entire bay. Getting a team member like you is not easy. But you know what... From an experienced (?!) candidate like you we expect a lot more.
R: What more could I do Ashok? I completed all my work on time, helped others and never delayed my deliveries.
A: I know. That is why you are given the second bucket. To get the first bucket, you need to think out of the box. Do things at the organization level... Handle trainings, Conduct interviews, Interact with the Center of Excellence teams... I didn't see any of them.
R: But Ashok, I hardly had time for all that.
A: This is where your time management skills come into play. You need to prioritize your work and come up with the most optimal path.
R: Am I at least getting a promotion this time?
A: I've nominated your name. Let's see. But I can't assure anything now. We are yet to get the complete list.
R: Thanks...

Should I even say that Ramu is still waiting for the first bucket and promotion?! :)