Create and manage performance ratings rubrics

Performance Ratings+ uses a rubric to translate normalized formula scores into clear performance designations. After creating a Performance Ratings+ formula, your next step is to build a rubric that defines how those scores map to performance levels. This guide walks you through how to create, view, edit, and manage rubrics in 15Five.

In this article you will learn:

• Create a rubric
• View, edit, and delete rubrics
• Edit which rubric is being used in an active review cycle
• Using 15Five's Recommended Performance Ratings Formula and Rubric 
• FAQs

Create a rubric

1. Click Best-Self Review® in 15Five's main, left-hand navigation.
   
2. Open the 'Template configuration' tab.
   
3. Click on Rubrics tab.
   
4. You are now on the 'Rubrics' page, which houses the Rubrics. To create a template, navigate on the the upper right, and you will see 'Create template'.
   
5. A pop-up should appear with options for Questions, Answers, Ratings, and Rubrics. Click on 'Rubrics' and then 'Create'.
   
6. You will be redirected to a new page to set-up your new rubric. This page contains 'Rubric Name' and 'Add performance categories and point range for the designations'. Customize the Rubric Name that aligns with your review.
   
7. 'Add performance categories and point ranges for the designations' section: Each category represents a performance level. Your rubric must include at least 3 categories and a max of 8. For each category in your rubric, complete the following fields:

   1. Category name — Title of the performance level.

   2. Score range (Min / Max) — Enter the score range for this category.

      • Score ranges must use whole integers (no decimals or negative values).

      • Ranges must not overlap with any other category.

      • Ranges must be continuous.

        • Example: If the first category is 0–33, the next category must begin at 34.

   3. Description — A brief explanation of what this category represents.

   4. Click Add category to include additional categories. When all categories are defined, click Create rubric.
      

8. When you’re done, click Create rubric.
   

View, edit, and delete rubrics

1. Click Best-Self Review® in 15Five's main, left-hand navigation.
   
2. Open the 'Template configuration' tab.
   
3. Click on Rubrics tab.
   
4. You are now on the 'Rubrics' page, which houses the Rubrics. You have the option to search for the rubric name or sort by Card or Grid View.
   

5. To manage differs from each view (Card or Grid), you would have the option to Edit, Preview, and Delete.
   

   

Change which rubric is used in an active review cycle

You can update the rubric used in a review cycle as long as no reviews have been submitted yet.

1. Click Best-Self Review® in 15Five's main, left-hand navigation.
   
2. You will land on the Best-Self Review® dashboard. From here, locate the review cycle you want to edit settings for under "Active review cycles". Click ... next to the review cycle, then select 'Edit review cycle' from the dropdown menu.
   
3. Click Edit next to the "Performance Ratings+" section.
   
4. Use the dropdown menu to select a different rubric. When you're done, click Save.
   

Using 15Five's Recommended Performance Ratings Formula and Rubric

All companies now have access to a pre-configured performance ratings formula and rubric designed by 15Five to help teams get started quickly with Performance Ratings+.

15Five Recommended Performance Rubric - A standardized 3-tier rating scale that translates normalized scores into clear performance levels: 

Above Level: 80–100 
At Level: 31–79 
Below Level: 0–30

A built-in performance ratings formula that is directly linked to 15Five’s recommended Self & Manager Review template, providing a cohesive and ready-to-use evaluation structure.

FAQs

Q: How many rubrics can be active at a time?

A: Each review cycle can use one rubric, but you may have multiple cycles running that each use different rubrics.