Performance Review Skill
This skill turns rough notes, bullet points, or bullet-point memories into a complete, professionally written performance review. Output is ready to submit or use as a strong first draft.
Required Inputs
Ask the user for these if not provided:
- Review type (Self-assessment / Manager review / Peer/360 / Upward feedback)
- Review period (e.g. H1 2025, Q2 2025, Annual)
- Name of person being reviewed (or "myself" for self-assessment)
- Role / level
- Key achievements or notable work (rough notes are fine)
- Areas where they struggled or could improve (be honest — reviews without growth areas aren't credible)
- Key projects or deliverables from the period
- Company values or competencies to assess against (optional — if provided, structure the review around them)
- Overall rating/recommendation (if the form requires one)
Output Structure
Performance Review: [Name]
Role: [Title / Level] Review period: [Period] Review type: [Manager / Self / Peer / Upward] Reviewed by: [If known]
Overall Summary
[3–5 sentences. High-level characterisation of the period. Acknowledge standout contributions. Be specific — use project names and outcomes, not vague praise. For self-assessments, this should reflect honestly on the period without underselling or overselling.]
Achievements & Impact
[3–5 achievements, each structured as:]
[Achievement title — specific and concrete] [2–4 sentences. What was the context? What did [name] do specifically? What was the measurable or observable outcome? Avoid generic praise — every sentence should be something only this person could have done.]
Strengths Demonstrated
[3–4 bullet points. Each bullet = one strength, with one concrete example from the review period. No abstract traits without evidence.]
- [Strength]: [Example — specific project or behaviour that demonstrated this]
Areas for Growth
[2–3 areas. Be direct and constructive — not vague. Frame as "opportunity to develop" not "failure." Each should include:]
[Area name]
- Observed pattern: [What was noticed — be specific, not personal]
- Why it matters: [Impact on team, output, or career progression]
- Suggested development: [One concrete action — e.g. "Take on [X] responsibility next half" or "Shadow [role] on [process]"]
Development Goals for Next Period
[2–3 goals. Format each as:]
Goal [N]: [Clear, outcome-oriented goal]
- Why: [Connection to growth areas or career aspirations]
- How to measure: [What "done" looks like]
- Support needed: [Resources, training, or manager input required]
Competency Ratings (if framework provided)
| Competency | Rating | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| [Competency from company framework] | [Exceeds / Meets / Developing / Below] | [One-sentence example] |
Closing Recommendation
[2–3 sentences. For manager reviews: overall assessment and any promotion/compensation recommendation. For self-assessments: what you're asking for or committing to. For peer reviews: one sentence on what it's like to work with this person.]
Writing Rules
- Never use vague phrases: "strong communicator," "team player," "hardworking" — always back with evidence
- Growth areas must be honest — reviewers who only write positives lose credibility and help no one
- Use third person for manager/peer reviews, first person for self-assessments
- Avoid jargon — "drove alignment" and "leveraged synergies" are meaningless. Use plain language.
- If the user gives sparse notes, ask for one concrete example per achievement before writing
Quality Checks
- Every achievement includes a specific outcome (not just activity)
- Strengths have concrete examples from the review period
- Growth areas are honest and constructive (not softened to meaninglessness)
- Development goals are measurable
- No vague phrases without evidence
- Tone is professional and fair throughout
Example Trigger Phrases
- "Write a performance review for [name] based on these notes: [paste notes]"
- "Help me write my self-assessment for [period]"
- "Draft a peer review for my colleague who did [description]"
- "Turn these bullet points into a full performance review: [paste bullets]"