Performance Management Cycle
4
Cycle Stages
Plan, Monitor, Develop, Review
SMART
Goal Format
Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound
360°
Feedback
Multi-source perspective
a year, sliced into four moves
The Year-Round Cycle
Plan starts the year. Monitor runs through it. Develop happens continuously. Review closes and restarts.
1. Plan
Q1Set SMART goals. Cascade from org objectives. Establish IDP.
2. Monitor
Year-roundWeekly or biweekly 1:1s. Real-time feedback. Project check-ins.
3. Develop
OngoingCoaching. Stretch assignments. Training tied to IDP.
4. Review
Annual / MidFormal review. Calibration meeting. Documentation.
SMART Goals — Five Letters
S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Achievable
R
Relevant
T
Time-bound
example
"Reduce average time-to-fill for engineering roles from 60 to 45 days by Q3 2026 by implementing structured behavioral interviews."
Exam Traps
SMART has FIVE letters, not four
The most-missed letter is Time-bound. Candidates list Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and stop. The exam tests the full set.
Calibration is across MANAGERS
Not within a single manager. Calibration sessions compare ratings across teams to expose drift and bias.
Monitor is the LARGEST phase by time
Most performance management happens in the year, not at the review. Annual reviews alone do not constitute PM.
Once-a-year reviews fail
The exam treats this as the wrong best-practice answer. Continuous feedback is the correct framework.
Annual review ≠ PM
PM is continuous. The annual review is one event in a year-round cycle. Treating it as the whole thing fails.
Calibration is the equity tool
Without calibration sessions, manager bias and rating drift go unchecked across the org.
Set the SMART goal. Build the training calendar. Cascade from team objectives.
Run the weekly 1:1s. Adjust pace each week. Track progress in real time.
Cross-train. Get coached on form. Address weaknesses with stretch assignments.
Compare results to plan. Calibrate against other runners. Set the next cycle's goal.
Ready to test your PHR knowledge?
1,700+ practice questions written by certified professionals.
Start Practicing PHR