Overview of the Trakstar Review Cycle
The Trakstar Review Cycle guides employees, managers, and administrators through the complete performance review process—from planning and goal setting to final review completion and archival.
While every organization can configure its review process differently, most review cycles follow the same core stages.
Review Cycle Stages
1. Review Planning
Administrators configure the review process before launching a review cycle.
Typical setup tasks include:
- Creating review processes
- Configuring review templates
- Setting review schedules
- Assigning participants
- Configuring approval workflows
- Enabling features such as Goals and 360-Rater Feedback
2. Goal Setting and Ongoing Feedback
Throughout the review period, managers and employees can document performance by:
- Setting goals
- Tracking measurements
- Recording Notes
- Conducting manager check-ins
- Updating development plans
Documenting progress throughout the review cycle creates more complete and meaningful performance evaluations.
3. Employee Self-Review
If enabled, employees complete a self-review by:
- Rating competencies
- Providing comments
- Reviewing goals
- Updating measurements
Managers can reference employee responses while completing their evaluations.
📅 Note: Once the scoring period closes, no new feedback can be submitted unless reopened by an administrator.
4. Manager Review
Managers evaluate employee performance by:
- Scoring competencies
- Reviewing employee self-ratings
- Adding comments
- Reviewing goals and measurements
- Incorporating Notes and ongoing feedback
5. 360-Rater Feedback (Optional)
Organizations that use 360-Rater Feedback can collect input from:
- Peers
- Direct reports
- Managers
- External participants (if enabled)
Managers can review and share completed feedback according to their organization's settings.
6. Approval Process
If approval workflows are enabled, completed reviews are submitted for approval.
Approvers can:
- Review ratings and comments
- Approve the review
- Return the review for revisions
- Leave feedback for the manager
7. Review Completion
Once all required approvals have been completed:
- Reviews are finalized.
- Organizations may conduct review meetings with employees.
- Feedback is discussed.
- Development plans are updated.
8. Archive and Prepare for the Next Cycle
After the review is complete:
- Reviews are archived automatically or manually.
- Historical reviews remain available for reference.
- Future reviews, goals, and development plans can be prepared for the next review cycle.
Summary
The Trakstar Review Cycle provides a structured framework for managing employee performance from initial planning through final review completion. By combining goals, ongoing feedback, performance evaluations, approvals, and development planning, organizations can create a consistent and effective performance management process.