Do I have to build a template before running appraisals?

No. If you never build one, the standard self-appraisal keeps working exactly as before. Templates only take over when you publish one.

Can I reuse the same question in more than one template?

Yes. Questions live in a shared bank, so one question can sit in as many templates as you like.

How do I build and launch a review cycle?

Quick answer

Go to Admin → Review cycles. First add questions to the shared Question bank, then create a Template, pull questions into it and order them, and Publish it. Finally press Launch and choose a review period to open the cycle. Nothing changes for employees until you publish a template.

What are the three tabs for?

The Review cycles screen has three tabs that build on each other:

Question bank  →  the reusable pool of questions you can ask
Templates      →  an ordered set of questions for one audience
Cycles         →  a launched template for a specific period (e.g. Q1 2026)

You always work left to right: questions first, then a template, then a cycle.

How do I add questions?

Open the Question bank tab and select New question. For each question you set:

Question — the text the reviewer sees.
Category (optional) — a grouping label like Job Knowledge.
Answer type — Rating only, Written answer, Rating + comment, or Goal.
Guidance (optional) — a short hint shown under the question.
Key — a stable id, filled in for you from the question text.

Removing a question only hides it from new templates. Past reviews keep what they already recorded, and you can Restore it any time.

How do I build a template?

On the Templates tab choose New template, give it a name, and pick the Audience:

Self-appraisal   →  the employee reviews themselves
Manager review   →  the manager reviews the employee
Peer / 360°      →  colleagues give feedback

Then open Questions on the template, add questions from the bank, drag the order with the up/down arrows, and toggle Required where an answer is a must. Mark one template as Default for its audience so it is the standard choice at launch.

How do I launch a review cycle?

A template must be Published first (it needs at least one question). Then press Launch, pick a Review period such as Q1 2026 or Annual 2026, and confirm. The cycle opens and appears on the Cycles tab, where you can Close it when the period ends or Re-open it if needed.

Will this affect reviews already in progress?

No. Building templates is safe and additive. Existing self, manager and peer reviews keep working as they do today. A published template simply decides which questions the next cycle asks.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to build a template before running appraisals?: No. If you never build one, the standard self-appraisal keeps working exactly as before. Templates only take over when you publish one.
Can I reuse the same question in more than one template?: Yes. Questions live in a shared bank, so one question can sit in as many templates as you like.