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A performance review is only as good as the structure and conversation it produces. This template gives managers and HR a professional, consistent annual review process.
Includes: goal achievement assessment against defined objectives, competency rating framework (linked to the Professional Competency Bank), overall performance rating with calibration guidance, career development section, manager commentary, employee self-assessment, and signature block. Includes a companion bias guide for reviewers.
FAQS
Q What sections does the template include?
The template covers: goal achievement (assessment against objectives set at the start of the year), a competency rating framework linked to the Professional Competency Bank, an overall performance rating with calibration guidance, a career development section for the coming year, manager commentary, employee self-assessment, and a signature block. Each section includes guidance notes for the reviewer.
Q What rating scale does the template use?
A five-point scale with clearly defined descriptors for each level — from 'significantly below expectations' through to 'exceptional'. The calibration guidance explains how to run a calibration session to ensure ratings are applied consistently across managers, and how to handle managers who rate too high or too low systematically.
Q Should employees complete a self-assessment before the review meeting?
Yes — the template includes a self-assessment section designed to be completed by the employee before the review meeting. Giving employees the opportunity to assess their own performance before the manager's rating produces better review conversations and increases employee perception of fairness, regardless of whether the self-assessment changes the manager's rating.
Q Does this template help avoid common rating errors?
Yes. The template includes a pre-review checklist prompting managers to gather evidence across the full review period — the most practical intervention for recency bias. The companion Performance Review Biases Guide (sold separately) covers 15+ rating biases and the mitigation strategies that work alongside this template.
A performance review is only as good as the structure and conversation it produces. This template gives managers and HR a professional, consistent annual review process.
Includes: goal achievement assessment against defined objectives, competency rating framework (linked to the Professional Competency Bank), overall performance rating with calibration guidance, career development section, manager commentary, employee self-assessment, and signature block. Includes a companion bias guide for reviewers.
FAQS
Q What sections does the template include?
The template covers: goal achievement (assessment against objectives set at the start of the year), a competency rating framework linked to the Professional Competency Bank, an overall performance rating with calibration guidance, a career development section for the coming year, manager commentary, employee self-assessment, and a signature block. Each section includes guidance notes for the reviewer.
Q What rating scale does the template use?
A five-point scale with clearly defined descriptors for each level — from 'significantly below expectations' through to 'exceptional'. The calibration guidance explains how to run a calibration session to ensure ratings are applied consistently across managers, and how to handle managers who rate too high or too low systematically.
Q Should employees complete a self-assessment before the review meeting?
Yes — the template includes a self-assessment section designed to be completed by the employee before the review meeting. Giving employees the opportunity to assess their own performance before the manager's rating produces better review conversations and increases employee perception of fairness, regardless of whether the self-assessment changes the manager's rating.
Q Does this template help avoid common rating errors?
Yes. The template includes a pre-review checklist prompting managers to gather evidence across the full review period — the most practical intervention for recency bias. The companion Performance Review Biases Guide (sold separately) covers 15+ rating biases and the mitigation strategies that work alongside this template.
