PA's ..

Speaking as consultant who has worked with some major corporations to develop what were supposed to be leading-edge performance appraisal and managements schemes, and then helped coach their implementation ...

.. almost all were virtually equivalent to providing an adult version of a grade school report card.

True performance management that is respectful of an individual's motivations, capabilities and dignity as a human being would in my opinion involve an ongoing conversation between almost-peers, while minimizing the power politics at work.

In that context I will always remember David Weinberger's "Conversations happen between equals. You can never have a real conversation with your boss". there's always the possibility that something is or may be at risk.

Heck, that's the same between friends, partners, etc. EXCEPT for the degree / level of emotional trust involved. few become real friends or real partners without passing through some rocky, tough and threatening exchanges.

I for one am not optimistic about the future of traditional PA's.