Rating scales are a powerful way to bring consistency and clarity to your performance reviews. Whether you're rating overall performance, assessing skills in a grid format, or connecting directly to your competency framework, rating scales provide the structure you need. This guide walks you through creating a rating scale from scratch, organised by key functions so you can find what you need quickly.
Understanding rating scales
Before you create a rating scale, it's helpful to understand how they work in Performance Leader. A rating scale consists of descriptors (like "Exceeds expectations" or "Needs improvement"), descriptions that explain what each level means, and corresponding scores.
You can use rating scales in three main ways:
To provide an overall performance rating at the end of a review
In a grid format to rate multiple skills, attributes, or values
Connected to your competency framework, where the system dynamically pulls through competencies aligned to each person's role
Example of an overall rating
Example of rating scale used in a rating grid
Example of rating scale used with a dynamic competency framework
Accessing the rating scale tool
Creating a rating scale is straightforward.
Navigate to the Reviews section of the Reviews module
At the top of the page, you'll see an option for Rating Scales
Click into this section to view your existing rating scales or create a new one
Creating a new rating scale
Now you're ready to build your rating scale. The process is simple and flexible.
Click Add New Rating Scale
A form will appear with spaces for each rating level
Fill in the descriptor, description, and score for each level
If you've prepared your rating scale content in a Word document, you can simply copy and paste it into the fields
Choose a colour for each rating level – these colours will inform your charting options later
Once you've filled in all the rating areas, click Save
Your rating scale is now ready to use! You can assign it to questions in your review forms or connect it to your competency framework.
Editing existing rating scales
Need to update a rating scale? It's easy to make changes.
Go to the rating scales section in the Review Dashboard
Click on the rating scale you want to edit
Make your changes to descriptors, descriptions, scores, or colours
Click Save to apply your updates
Important: Changes to a rating scale will affect any reviews that use it, so it's best to make updates before launching a review cycle. Ensure cycles that use the scale are closed before making changes to the scale.