Hate Performance Reviews? Design a better one

A core skill for all designers is the ability provide effective critique. Best when delivered in a timely manner repeatedly throughout the design process, critiques afford honest, clear, and most importantly, constructive feedback. Taking into account the design as whole, as well as its specific capabilities and the context in which the design will exist, the goal of the critique is to ensure the design can indeed achieve the desired outcomes.

Critique is the core of design’s lifecycle; beginning as a humble conversation with one’s self, it soon expands to include peers, managers, and potentially a range of stakeholders—assuming they can provide constructive feedback. Critiques ensure everyone is aligned on the intent and the outcome of the design. And it is the key for ensuring the design is beneficial to those it is intended for; because their's is the final critique that determines success.

Deconstructing the orchestrated whole critique explore the parts that constitute the whole and back again. Critiques carefully weigh, mediate, and discuss all aspects of the design, their sequencing, pacing and rhythm. Consideration is given to how momentum is created and how flow is achieved. All without prejudice but with objectivity, honestly and authenticity.

Critiques are only effective if they help the designer gain self-confidence by growing both in their craft and acumen. While early in the design process, critiques may be more one-sided with the designer being asked a series of questions, overtime critiques naturally evolve into equal conversations, eventually maturing with the designer asking more questions than they answer.

Being the backbone of the design, a primary topic in each critique is intent. Focusing both on its worthiness and its relevance—allegorically, symbolically, or intrinsically, and most importantly whether it is truly understood; The critique objectively asks if the design is prepared to deliver a clear resolution of its intent. 

While uncomfortable for some, critiques naturally include ecological considerations—that is, the ecosystem in which the final design will reside and the resulting interplay between artifact and application. These considerations can often lead to comparisons, both direct and indirect. Other pre-existing designs that have addressed, or attempted to address, the same intent and/or outcome are frequently referenced. Typically meant as metaphors to broaden the discussion, these adjacent artifacts can lead to direct comparisons, touchstones of success. These juxtapositions need to be treated carefully to avoid unintended emulation, or worse, disillusionment and imposter syndrome.

So if you have made it this far, I am sure you are asking: what does any of this have to do with performance reviews?

While many will have already made the connection, there are some who will not be able to see the parallel between critiques and performance reviews, so let me explain: designers spend their careers providing critical and constructive feedback. Call them what you like but at their core, performance reviews are simply a different form of critique. Yes, there are some additional legal considerations that fall outside the classic design critique but not many. That is why when I read something that says performance reviews are bullshit, authored by a designer no less, it’s clear to me the problem is not the idea of performance reviews, it’s with the designer.

Don’t believe me? Re-read the text above but replace the words critique and design with performance review and team member. If you are still not seeing it, or simply cannot accept my allegory, then go back to first principles; Design is simply the arrangement of elements to achieve a desired outcome—everything is designed including performance reviews. Don’t blame the problem. If you are stuck using a performance review process that doesn’t deliver what you need, then simply design a better system! That is what designers do, right?

For additional information on Performance review read Building a better ladder