Performance Review
A structured evaluation of an employee's work over a defined period, typically involving self-assessment, manager feedback, and goal-setting for the next period.
A performance review (also called a performance appraisal or evaluation) is a formal assessment of how well an employee has performed against agreed goals and expectations during a specific period — typically quarterly, biannually, or annually. It involves structured feedback, rating against competencies or objectives, and setting goals for the next cycle.
Performance reviews typically feed into merit increase decisions, promotion eligibility, and learning and development plans. The quality of a review depends on the quality of the goals set at the beginning of the cycle — if objectives were vague or irrelevant, the review will be unhelpful to both parties.
The traditional annual review is increasingly supplemented or replaced by more frequent feedback mechanisms: quarterly check-ins, ongoing 1:1s, and real-time recognition tools. For remote teams, the absence of daily informal feedback makes regular structured touchpoints even more important as a way to keep employees aligned and engaged.