If you are a new reviewer in 15Five and need help reviewing your first Check-in, look no further than this article. If you aren't necessarily new but love refreshers, this article is for you, too! Reviewing Check-ins is easy and can make all the difference when it comes to your direct reports' engagement. You play a big part in your people's success, and this article will help you give meaningful feedback and take action on your direct reports' Check-ins.
What is a "reviewer" in 15Five?
A reviewer is the main person responsible for reading and reviewing Check-ins for their direct report(s). A reviewer is typically a manager or a supervisor of a team. In 15Five, the term "reviewer" means that the person has people that report to them in the company hierarchy. The people that report to reviewers are called "direct reports". For more information on roles in 15Five, see this article.
Every reporter who submits a Check-in is assigned a reviewer. The only time a reporter is not assigned a reviewer is if the reporter is at the top of the hierarchy. A reviewer has the ability to ask questions to their direct report(s) or hierarchy and invite their team. You can locate your team's Check-ins by clicking on the Features option in the left navigation, then click to expand the 'Check-ins' drop-down menu, and click 'Team Check-ins'. From there you will see prompts to either invite your team, or you will see the people already reporting to you. If you do not see all of your direct reports present and you are unable to invite the person because they are already in the system, please reach out to your account administrators. They can help assign your direct reports to you.
Note
When your direct reports submit their Check-ins, you will receive an email notification that their Check-in is ready to review, including a link that takes you to that awaiting Check-in. You can also view your team's history and review submitted Check-ins from this page.
The effort you put into 15Five, directly correlates with the value you will get out of it. If you want amazing feedback + results and to keep the ideas flowing within your team, remember to interact with each Check-in. The smallest of acknowledgments can go a long way in making your direct reports feel heard.
There are several ways to give feedback and interact with a Check-in—keep reading!
Interact with your direct reports' Check-ins
Check Pulse contextually
Not only can you view your direct reports' latest Pulse, but you can see how that latest answer compares to their average. If your direct report has an average Pulse of 4.5 and they answered with a 3 on the latest Check-in, it might be worth adding to your 1-on-1 agenda. If your direct report has an average pulse of 3.1, a Check-in with a Pulse answer of 4 might strike up a conversation about wins.
React to an answer
The quickest way to show your direct reports that you acknowledge their feedback or accomplishment is by reacting to their answers. Click on the emoji option to share your feelings.
Make a comment (or two)
If you want more information about an answer or want to make a comment back to your direct report on one of their answers, you can do that by clicking on the chat bubble icon to the right of any answer.
Pass-up answers
If you are in between reporting tiers for your company, you can pass-up your direct report's answer and include it on your own Check-in for you to talk about with your manager. As a best practice make sure you review your team's Check-ins prior to submitting your own Check-in. Click the ... to the right of any answer or comment to see this option.
Add to 1-on-1 agenda
You can add answers to a 1-on-1 meeting agenda as a reminder to go over that topic during your 1-on-1. Click the ... to the right of any answer or comment to see this option. Rename the item with a clear title—as that title will appear on your 1-on-1 agenda under the 'Talking points' section.
Add to wins & challenges
It can be easy to forget wins and challenges that come up, we get it. To help you remember, add any answer as a win or challenge and it will show up under on the direct report's profile page for you to refer back to. What you add to wins & challenges will remain private to you. Again, click the ... to see this option.
Flag for follow-up
If an answer requires a follow-up from you, follow up action, follow up discussion, etc, you can flag the answer for followup. This will show on your 'Team Check-ins' tab and will be listed under the 'Follow-ups' tab. Click the ... to the right of an answer to see this option.
Share by email
If your company has this option enabled, you will be able to share answers via email and customize the email that is sent out. If the recipient of the email does not have visibility into the person's Check-in, they will only see the one answer in an email, and will not be able to view the full Check-in or any comments related to that answer.
Check out your direct report's High Fives (all, received, and given)
At the bottom of your direct report's Check-in, you will see all High Fives given and received since their last Check-in. See any that are worth talking about? People love knowing that their manager noticed recognition they received.
High Five your direct report while reviewing their Check-in
After reviewing a Check-in, you can High Five your direct report directly from the Check-in. This option is located at the bottom of the Check-in.
Check out the High Five Best Practices to ensure your feedback is effective!
Help your direct report grow
This is a time for you to give an overall response about the direct report or their specific Check-in. Use this section for miscellaneous comments or to encourage growth. 
REMEMBER: Click the Mark as reviewed button at the bottom of the Check-in to confirm it has been reviewed.
Tip
When is the last time you checked out the questions that your direct reports were asked? Check out the 'Question preview' page to view upcoming questions for your direct reports. Check out your direct reports' profile pages on the 'Activity' tab to view past questions.
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