> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/performance-review-plans/create-a-review-plan.md).

# Create a Review Plan

This article walks through the steps for administrators to create a new performance review plan in PEARS. A review plan defines the review year, which positions participate, assessment windows for each role, and the surveys used for evaluation.

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**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
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#### Navigate to Performance Reviews

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Plan** menu in the top navigation bar and click **Performance Review Plans**.
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#### Click Add Review Plan

On the Performance Reviews list page, click the **Add Review Plan** button to open the review plan form.

![Screenshot: The Performance Review Plans list page with the Add Review Plan button highlighted in the top-right area](/files/Tk5tYLJPajVn26CQhuD9)
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#### Select a Year

In the **Year** field, select the year this performance review covers. This is a required field and determines the review period for all participants.
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#### Select Positions

In the **Positions** field, select the position(s) that will participate in this review cycle. You can select multiple positions. Only users assigned to the selected positions will be included in the review.
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#### Set the User Assessment Window

Configure the time period during which staff members can complete their self-assessments:

* **Start Date/Time** — The date and time the self-assessment window opens.
* **Deadline Date/Time** — The date and time the self-assessment window closes.

Staff members can only submit their self-assessments during this window.
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#### Set the Supervisor Window

Configure the time period during which supervisors can complete their reviews:

* **Start Date/Time** — The date and time the supervisor review window opens.
* **Deadline Date/Time** — The date and time the supervisor review window closes.

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**NOTE:** The supervisor window should typically begin on or after the user assessment deadline so that supervisors can review completed self-assessments.
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#### Set the Board Member Window (optional)

If your review plan includes board member participation, check the **Uses Board Members** option and configure the board member assessment window:

* **Start Date/Time** — The date and time the board member review window opens.
* **Deadline Date/Time** — The date and time the board member review window closes.

If your organization does not use board member reviews, leave the **Uses Board Members** option unchecked and skip this step.
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#### Select the Self Assessment Survey (optional)

In the **Self Assessment Survey** field, select the survey that staff members will complete as part of their self-assessment. This survey is optional — leave it blank to skip the self-assessment step for this plan.

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**TIP:** The survey must already exist in the Surveys module and be marked as **Active** before it can be selected here. See [Surveys](/plan/surveys.md) for instructions on creating and activating surveys.
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#### Select the Supervisor Survey (optional)

In the **Supervisor Survey** field, select the survey that supervisors will complete when evaluating each staff member. This survey is also optional and independent of the self-assessment — a plan can use one survey, both, or neither.

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**TIP:** When a survey isn't configured, its assessment step is hidden from the review workflow, and the review can still be completed without it.
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#### Select the Board Member Survey (optional)

If the **Uses Board Members** option is enabled, select the survey that board members will complete in the **Board Member Survey** field. This field is only required when board member reviews are enabled.
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#### Configure Copy User Review to Supervisor (optional)

Check the **Can Copy User Review to Supervisor** option if you want the staff member's self-assessment survey responses to be pre-populated into the supervisor's survey. This allows supervisors to see the user's self-ratings alongside their own evaluation. This option is only available when both the self-assessment and supervisor surveys are configured and identical.
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#### Configure Supporting Data (optional)

If you want staff members to include data from other PEARS modules in their self-assessments, check the **Uses Supporting Data** option. Then configure the supporting data requirements:

**Module Choices** — Select which PEARS modules staff members can pull supporting data from:

* Action Plans
* Professional Development Plans
* Action Plan Reports
* Quarterly Efforts
* Program Activities
* Success Stories

**Year** — For each selected module, specify which year of data to include relative to the review year:

* **Previous** — Data from the year before the review year.
* **Same** — Data from the same year as the review year.
* **Next** — Data from the year after the review year.

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**TIP:** Supporting data gives reviewers context about the staff member's work and accomplishments. Select the modules and year that are most relevant to your organization's evaluation criteria.
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#### Save the Review Plan

Click **Save** to create the review plan. Once saved, the plan is active and participants will be able to access their assessments when their respective windows open.

![Screenshot: The review plan form showing the Year dropdown, Positions multi-select, User Assessment Window date/time fields, Supervisor Window date/time fields, Board Member settings, survey dropdowns, Copy User Review toggle, Supporting Data configuration, and the Save button](/files/z7xdaBaQ67cxuiSseSwe)
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**NOTE:** Changes to assessment windows or participating positions after the review plan is created may affect users who have already started their assessments. Review all settings carefully before saving.
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