While regular and frequent performance feedback is essential, formal performance reviews are a crucial part of the on-going dialog between managers and their employees. The performance review and planning conversation should be a two-way dialog that looks both back in time (about the employee’s performance over the past year) and forward in time (where together the manager and employee articulate future goals and career development plans.)

The objectives of the review conversation are to make sure that the employee and manager share a clear definition of the job, an understanding of performance expectations for the position and an assessment of the employee’s performance. Performance review conversations should be conducted at least once each year.

A shared responsibility between the manager and the employee, the performance review provides:

• A way to have meaningful dialog that connects the employee’s work to the success of the department
• A process to identify performance problems and develop a specific plan for improvement
• An opportunity to discuss and define development opportunities

These conversations take a considerable investment of time and thought on both the manager’s and the employee’s part. To allow time for thoughtful preparation, we suggest that managers consider spreading their performance review conversations across the year so that they have ample time for each employee’s review (more information about alternative scheduling). There are a number of performance review forms from which managers might choose. We have also provided several self-review and development planning forms for employees.

Performance reviews as part of an annual cycle
While the annual performance review conversation is a key component of performance development, ideally the review is part of a series of regular meetings between a manager and an employee. These meetings provide an ongoing opportunity to discuss accomplishments, obstacles encountered and how to overcome them and the employee's professional development.

For information about "The Six Conversations," the performance planning and management program for Information Services and Technology, go to http://web.mit.edu/ist/competency/6conversations/