We’re excited to roll out a new, unified Performance review experience designed to make performance management simpler, more flexible, and more impactful. This update streamlines workflows, introduces powerful new features, and reflects the feedback we’ve heard from customers like you. If your organization is using the current version of Performance, this guide will help you smoothly transition to the new Performance experience. We’ll explain what’s changing, why it’s happening, and how to ensure a smooth transition.
As you read on, you'll discover the new features, get an overview of the transition process, and find answers to common questions. Our goal is to ensure the transition is as straightforward as possible, so you can move to the new Performance experience with confidence.
Tip: To check if you're using the new or current version of the Performance experience, refer to our FAQs section or take a look at our detailed guide that compares the old and new Performance experiences. These resources will help you quickly identify which version you're working with.
Why we're refreshing Performance
Based on your feedback, we've streamlined and enhanced key features to improve the performance review experience.
Here’s a quick look at the biggest benefits:
Simplified performance reviews: Manage all review units (Self Reflections, Manager Reviews, and Peer Feedback) in one unified workflow.
More flexibility: Customize your review setup to match your organization's needs and schedule.
Improved data insights: Easily export performance data for deeper analysis and better decision-making.
Faster, easier navigation: Simplified workflows for managers and employees, so everyone spends less time navigating and more time focusing on performance.
What's new in the Performance experience?
The new Performance experience comes with several exciting features designed to simplify and enhance your performance management.
New features now available | Upcoming features (Q1 2025) | Future releases in 2025 |
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Transition Timeline and Details
We’ll transition customers to the new Performance experience in three cohorts based on account type. The transition will occur over one week (Monday to Sunday), with a brief 15-25 minute downtime. Your Account Admin will receive an email with details about your assigned transition dates and what to expect.
Here’s the timeline for each cohort:
Account type and cohort | Transition dates |
Cohort 1: New Culture Amp accounts, small businesses (SMBs), and trial accounts. | January 27 – February 2, 2025 |
Cohort 2: Mid-market and Commercial customers | February 3 – February 9, 2025 |
Cohort 3: Enterprise customers | February 10 – February 16, 2025 |
What to expect during the transition
Email notification: Your Account Admin will receive an email with details about your assigned transition window and further instructions.
Maintenance window: During your assigned transition week, the Performance tab will be unavailable for a brief 15-25 minute period. During this time, you'll see a maintenance notice, but all other platform features, such as Goals and 1-on-1s, will remain accessible.
Automatic transition: The move to the new Performance experience will happen automatically, with all your performance data (reviews, peer feedback, calibration cycles) carried over to the new experience.
Post-transition: Once the transition is complete, you will have access to the new performance experience and all your review cycles (draft, scheduled, or live) will continue with no loss of data.
What happens to existing cycles?
After your organization transitions to the new Performance experience, all existing cycles (draft, scheduled, live or closed) will remain intact and will not be automatically unified. This includes both Self-reflections cycles and Performance cycles. They will stay as they are, with the same setup and structure that was in place prior to the transition. However, these cycles will be tagged at the index level to indicate which performance units are included (e.g., Manager Reviews, Peer and Upward Feedback).
To help with navigation and cycle management, here’s what you can expect in the new system:
Tags for performance units: Each cycle will be tagged with the performance units included in it, such as Self-reflections, Manager Reviews, Peer and Upward Feedback, etc.
Filters and sorting: We’ve introduced new filters for cycle status (e.g., draft, scheduled, live) and the ability to sort by date.
Search by cycle name: You can now search by cycle name, making it easier to find the exact cycle you need.
Managing Self-reflections cycles in the new experience
If you have existing Self-reflection cycles (draft, scheduled, or live) and want to integrate them into the new Unified Cycles setup following the transition, here’s what to do:
Draft cycles
Go to the Settings page of your draft Self-reflection cycle.
Add performance units (e.g., Manager Reviews, Peer Feedback).
Update all cycle settings (questions, schedule, etc.) to finalize your unified cycle.
Scheduled cycles
Duplicate your scheduled Self-reflection cycle.
In the new cycle, add the required performance units.
Update the settings and schedule the new cycle.
After confirmation, delete the original scheduled cycle.
Live cycles
Live Self-reflections cannot be merged into a unified cycle.
FAQs
Why did we introduce Unified Cycles?
Why did we introduce Unified Cycles?
Unified Cycles simplify the review process by allowing you to manage all review units in one place. This change saves time and reduces complexity, streamlining your performance management workflow.
Will I still be able to create individual cycles?
Will I still be able to create individual cycles?
Yes, you can still create individual cycles, and configure each unit’s dates as needed. While we recommend using the unified workflow for simplicity, you will still have the flexibility to set up separate cycles if that’s your preference.
Are there any upcoming features?
Are there any upcoming features?
Yes, we’ve got some exciting new features coming in early 2025! One of the big updates is multilingual support for performance reviews, which will allow you to run reviews in multiple languages within a single workflow. This will be a game-changer for managing global teams.
For more details on what’s coming, check out the What's new in the Performance experience? section.
Are there any limitations?
Are there any limitations?
Some features, like the ability to edit questions after a cycle goes live, won’t be available right away. However, we plan to release this in Q1 2025.
For more details on what's coming, be sure to check out the What’s new in the Performance experience? section.
How can I tell which version of Culture Amp's Performance experience I'm using?
How can I tell which version of Culture Amp's Performance experience I'm using?
If you're using the new Performance experience, clicking the Performance tab will show a single Reviews section. In the Admin section, along with the Calibrations and Insights options, you’ll now see a single Performance Cycles option (previously, self-reflections were listed separately).
When you click into the Performance cycles tab and select Create cycle, you'll be able to see and select all performance units—self-reflections, peer feedback, upward feedback, and manager reviews—within the same workflow. This allows you to include self-reflections alongside other performance reviews, consolidating everything in one place.
In contrast, the current experience has a separate drop-down option for self-reflections, which follows a different workflow than manager reviews.
Can I delay the transition?
Can I delay the transition?
Enterprise customers can delay their transition until April 30, 2025. If the scheduled transition window (February 10–16) doesn’t work for you, please reach out to your Culture Amp Customer Success Manager to reschedule. If you need further assistance, just reply with "Ask a Person" in a support conversation to speak with a Product Support Specialist.
Can I access the new Performance experience before my transition date?
Can I access the new Performance experience before my transition date?
Yes, if you're an Enterprise customer, you can request to join an earlier cohort. Just reach out to your Culture Amp Customer Success Manager to get started. Keep in mind, transitions can’t happen before January 27, 2025.
If you need help, simply reply with "Ask a Person" in a support conversation to connect with a Product Support Specialist.
Can I find out the exact day or time my account will be updated?
Can I find out the exact day or time my account will be updated?
We understand you'd like to know the exact day and time your Culture Amp account will be updated. While we can't provide specific times, we can confirm that the update will happen during your designated transition week. Please note that the Performance page will be temporarily unavailable during this period (you’ll see a maintenance notice), but all other features, such as Goals and 1-on-1s, will remain accessible.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please reply with "Ask a Person" in a support conversation to connect with a Product Support Specialist.
Can I revert to the current version of Performance after the transition?
Can I revert to the current version of Performance after the transition?
No, once your organization has transitioned, you cannot revert back to the current Performance experience.
There are existing cycles in our account that are ongoing. Will they carry across?
There are existing cycles in our account that are ongoing. Will they carry across?
Yes, all your current performance cycles (draft, scheduled, or live) will transfer over to the new Performance experience without losing any progress or data. After the transition, existing cycles (whether draft, scheduled, live, or closed) will remain intact but won’t be automatically unified. For more details, check out the Impact on Existing Cycles section.
Will my old cycles be unified automatically in the new Performance experience?
Will my old cycles be unified automatically in the new Performance experience?
No, your old cycles will remain separate in the new Performance experience, regardless of their state (draft, scheduled, live, or closed). If you want a unified cycle, you’ll need to either create a new cycle in the new Performance or duplicate your old cycle and add the new units. There will not be a process to automatically unify your old cycles.
Will there be changes to the navigation?
Will there be changes to the navigation?
Yes, we’ve simplified navigation under the Performance section. Here’s what’s changing:
For administrators: The Self-Reflections Cycles option will no longer appear under the Admin section. It’s now unified within the Performance Review Cycles page.
For all employees:
The Self-Reflections Cycles option will be removed and integrated into the new Review Cycles page.
You’ll also see a new Calibrations option, which shows any calibration views shared with you.
These updates aim to simplify the workflow and make it easier to navigate your review cycles and calibration sessions.
For an in-depth comparison of the current and new experiences, check out our detailed guide that contrasts the old and new Performance features.
🌐 We value your feedback and are here to help!
Have questions or feedback? Whether it’s about usability, technical issues, or new feature ideas, we’d love to hear from you!
Simply reply with “Ask a Person” in a support conversation to connect with a Product Support Specialist. We’re here to support you and ensure your transition is smooth while continuously improving Performance to better meet your needs.