Proponents of forced ranking see the system as a means for a quick exchange of personnel in a way that lifts the aver- age performance level of the organization. Critics see the approach as possibly damaging the culture and camaraderie in an organization and would prefer to keep people and develop their skills. Select representatives as members of a pro or con forced-ranking team. Each team identifies its assumptions about how performance is distributed in the workplace. They will then offer reasons why they are for or against forced ranking. Some of the issues to be addressed include:
a. What is the expected impact of forced ranking on performance in an organization?
b. Turnover has costs associated with it (see Chapters 5 and 6). How would these costs affect your position?
c. What would be the impact of forced ranking on the organization’s culture? What about the culture without the system?
d. Is it better to replace a poor performer or to try to develop and improve that worker?
In a debate-style format, each team makes its presentation of position and rationale and has the opportunity to question and rebut and rejoin the other team. The instructor moderates this process. At the end of the debate, the instructor leads the class in identifying the key reasons for and against the use of forced ranking. Is there a clear consensus in the class for or against this system?