The Private Manager Assessment (PMA) is a section of the manager review within a Best-Self Review® cycle. Managers answer future-focused questions about each direct report to support career and performance decisions.
This feature is available on the Perform and Total Platform pricing packages. Access requires Best-Self Review® and Template configuration permissions.
Feature Structure
The PMA appears inside the manager review portion of a Best-Self Review® cycle. It is separate from peer reviews and upward reviews.
PMA questions use a rating scale. Responses are visible only to the reviewing manager and designated admins — not to the direct report being assessed.
15Five provides five default PMA questions based on research from Deloitte, as cited in the Harvard Business Review article Reinventing Performance Management:
- [Name] is ready for a promotion today. (Strongly disagree → Strongly agree)
- [Name] is at risk for low performance. (Strongly disagree → Strongly agree)
- Given what I know of [Name]'s current performance, and if it were my money, I would award them the highest possible increase and bonus. (Strongly disagree → Strongly agree)
- Given how well I know [Name] works with others, I would always want them on my team. (Strongly disagree → Strongly agree)
- Given what I know of [Name]'s performance, if [Name] got a job offer somewhere else, I would feel. (Relieved → Accepting → Neutral → Anxious → Distressed)
What You Can Do
Set Up
Manage
Analyze
Key Rules
- PMA questions are automatically included in Self & Manager review question templates by default.
- In-app messaging appears when you attempt to remove default PMA questions, explaining why they are recommended.
- Responses are private — direct reports cannot see how their manager answered PMA questions.
- Admins can use custom questions instead of the 15Five defaults, but removal of defaults requires confirming past the in-app warning.