A performance review is a formal evaluation of an employee's performance, skills, and accomplishments in their job. While reviews serve as an opportunity for managers and employees to discuss performance, set goals, provide feedback, and recognize accomplishments, the current state of performance reviews has faced numerous challenges. A modern, effective performance review should be a two-way, individualized conversation between a manager and an employee about performance impact, development, and growth. It is a critical component of an organization’s overall performance management strategy. How an organization navigates performance review conversations has a demonstrated impact on employee engagement and retention. 

Performance reviews are helpful for understanding progress and areas of improvement for each employee. They help employees see where they're doing great, where they can get better, and what they should aim for next. If wielded well, performance reviews can be a secret weapon in retaining top performers. They serve as a perfect opportunity to summarize an employee's progress, recognize contributions, and develop a growth plan that is aligned with your organization's vision and key objectives. 

When selecting performance review software, it’s crucial to consider features that align with your organization’s culture, simplify the evaluation process, and enhance the objectivity of feedback. Here’s what you should look for: 

1. Customizability: Look for flexible performance review templates and scheduling that can be tailored to various performance management cycles and organizational needs. This includes the ability to adapt features such as goal ratings, competencies, weighting, scales, and custom performance review questions to fit your specific requirements. A platform that allows for different templates across various groups within your organization ensures that the reviews are relevant and resonate with all departments.

2. Simplicity and Usability: Look for a platform that is easy to use for both HR administrators and end users, including managers and employees. The interface should be intuitive, reducing the administrative burden and making it easier to conduct your performance review process. Features like automated workflows, clear tracking of review statuses, and straightforward analytics help keep everyone accountable and informed throughout the review process.

Additionally, consider how the software facilitates effective performance conversations and performance review best practices:   

1. Embedded Analytics and Data: Effective performance review software should provide leaders with analytics that help them analyze and act on key performance insights. This includes tracking response rates, review completion statuses, and comprehensive performance data which should be easily accessible and interpretable to inform decisions.

2. Support for Objective Feedback: The software should support mechanisms that promote objectivity in reviews, such as 360-degree feedback and multi-rater reviews. These features help gather diverse perspectives and reduce biases, making the feedback more comprehensive and valuable. 

By focusing on these aspects, you can choose performance review software that not only fits your organizational culture but also enhances the effectiveness and fairness of your performance evaluations. 

Administering effective and objective performance reviews across your entire organization requires a partner you can rely on. For the last 20+ years, our customers have trusted us to deliver reliable expertise, technology, service and results.   

We help you uncover meaning.
Understand what's truly driving or hindering employee performance, engagement, and retention. Keep your people on the same page with formal performance reviews using our validated best practices. 

We make action easy for everyone. 
Performance reviews need to be easy for everyone. Our solutions help reduce headaches for HR, integrate into manager workflows, and encourage employee involvement.  

We’re a partner you can rely on.
You’re on a journey – and we’re with you every step of the way. You can rely on our dedicated team to provide strategic guidance, ongoing coaching, timely tech support, and safe and secure practices your programs need to be successful.