Is 360 degree feedback the same process as "multi-rater feedback" or multi-rater assessment?

The terms 360 degree feedback, multi-rater feedback, or multi-rater assessment are often used interchangeably. Technically that's not really correct useage.

Multi-rater feedback and multi-rater assessments refer to two things -- the source of the feedback (in this case, from multiple sources, and not just one's manager), AND, the method of feedback, in this case the use of a rating scale.

However, 360 degree feedback does not HAVE to use a rating system, although this if almost always how it is implemented (which is somewhat unfortunate.

So, multi-rater feedback and multi-rater assessments are sub-sets of 360 degree feedback, BUT not all 360 degree feedback is multi-rater feedback.

For more go back to the 360 degree main page.