Appraisal Cycle

Overview

Appraisal Cycle – Business Overview

Appraisal Cycle is a core HR document in Dafater used to plan, manage, and control employee performance reviews over a defined period. It provides a structured framework for conducting appraisals consistently across the organization, ensuring that performance evaluations are fair, timely, and aligned with business goals.

What the Appraisal Cycle Is Used For

In day-to-day business operations, the Appraisal Cycle is used to:

Define a specific period during which employee performance will be reviewed (for example, annual or semi-annual reviews)
Standardize how and when appraisals are conducted across departments
Ensure all eligible employees are included in performance evaluations
Support decisions related to salary increments, promotions, training needs, and career development
Create transparency and accountability in the performance management process

In simple terms, the Appraisal Cycle acts as the official “window” during which employee appraisals take place.

Prerequisites and Setup Requirements

Before using the Appraisal Cycle, the organization should have:

Employees properly set up with roles, departments, and reporting managers
Clearly defined performance criteria and appraisal formats
An agreed appraisal frequency (annual, quarterly, or otherwise)
Internal policies outlining how performance ratings affect compensation, bonuses, or growth opportunities

This preparation ensures that once an Appraisal Cycle starts, the process runs smoothly without confusion or delays.

Typical Workflow and Business Process Fit

A typical Appraisal Cycle follows this business flow:

Planning the Cycle
HR defines the appraisal period, such as a financial year or review quarter, and confirms which employees are covered.
Launching the Cycle
The Appraisal Cycle is officially opened, signaling managers and employees that performance reviews can begin.
Performance Review Execution
Managers assess employee performance based on agreed criteria. In some cases, employee self-reviews may also be part of the process.
Review and Validation
Appraisals are reviewed by higher management or HR to ensure consistency and fairness.
Closure of the Cycle
Once all evaluations are completed, the Appraisal Cycle is closed, and outcomes are used for compensation reviews, promotions, or development planning.

This structured approach ensures appraisals are not ad-hoc but part of a planned business rhythm.

Key Business Scenarios Where Appraisal Cycle Is Essential

The Appraisal Cycle is especially important in scenarios such as:

Annual performance reviews tied to salary increments or bonuses
Promotion and succession planning decisions
Identifying training and skill gaps across teams
Ensuring compliance with internal HR policies and labor practices
Improving employee engagement through regular and formal feedback

Without a defined Appraisal Cycle, performance reviews can become inconsistent and subjective.

Important Considerations for Users

When working with the Appraisal Cycle, users should keep in mind:

Clearly communicate the appraisal timeline to employees and managers
Ensure all eligible employees are included before starting the cycle
Avoid overlapping appraisal cycles, which can create confusion
Use consistent evaluation standards to maintain fairness
Treat the Appraisal Cycle as a strategic HR activity, not just an administrative task

A well-managed Appraisal Cycle strengthens trust, improves performance culture, and supports better business decisions in Dafater.

Basic Information

Module: HR
Document Type: Other

Fields

Field Name	Label	Type	Required	Options	Description
cycle_name	Cycle Name	Data	✓	-	Unique name identifying the appraisal cycle in Dafater
company	Company	Link	✓	Company	Company under which the appraisal cycle is conducted
status	Status	Select		Not Started, In Progress, Completed	Current progress status of the appraisal cycle
start_date	Start Date	Date	✓	-	Date when the appraisal cycle officially begins
end_date	End Date	Date	✓	-	Date when the appraisal cycle officially ends
description	description	Text Editor		-	Business purpose and scope of the appraisal cycle
kraevaluationmethod	KRA Evaluation Method	Select		Automated Based on Goal Progress, Manual Rating	Method used to evaluate employee KRAs
calculatefinalscorebasedon_formula	Calculate Final Score based on Formula	Check		-	Enable automated final score calculation using formula
finalscoreformula	Final Score Formula	Code		PythonExpression	Formula defining final appraisal score calculation logic
branch	Branch	Link		Branch	Branch applicable for this appraisal cycle
department	Department	Link		Department	Department included in this appraisal cycle
designation	Designation	Link		Designation	Designation eligible for this appraisal cycle
get_employees	Get Employees	Button		-	Fetch eligible employees based on selected criteria
appraisees	appraisees	Table		Appraisee	List of employees included in the appraisal cycle

Child Tables

appraisees (Appraisee)

Field Name	Label	Type	Required	Options	Description
employee	Employee	Link	✓	Employee	Employee being evaluated in the appraisal process
employee_name	Employee Name	Data		-	Full name of the appraised employee
appraisal_template	Appraisal Template	Link		Appraisal Template	Template defining evaluation criteria and scoring structure
department	Department	Link		Department	Employee's department for organizational reporting
designation	Designation	Data		-	Employee's job title during appraisal period
branch	Branch	Link		Branch	Business branch where employee is assigned

Permissions

Role	Read	Write	Create	Delete
HR User	✓	✓	✓
System Manager	✓	✓	✓	✓
HR Manager	✓	✓	✓	✓
Employee	✓

DocType	Relationship	Module
Appraisal	Linked from	HR
Employee Performance Feedback	Linked from	HR
Goal	Linked from	HR
Branch	Links to	Setup
Company	Links to	Setup
Department	Links to	Setup
Designation	Links to	Setup