stack ranking

Stack ranking is a performance evaluation system historically used at Microsoft, where employees are ranked against each other on a curve. This tag covers discussions about the controversial practice, including its role in fostering intense internal competition, its connection to Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and its impact on company culture. Content under this tag explores how stack ranking shaped hiring, retention, and career trajectories at Microsoft during the 1990s, as recalled by former employees. The tag also touches on broader themes of talent management and the trade-offs between meritocracy and collaboration in enterprise IT environments.