Adding and Editing Performance Elements

Performance Elements in the plan may be customized in accordance with agency policies, with adjustments made during the initial creation phase. The Edit Performance Elements screen allows the users with permissions to manage the list of performance elements in an employee’s plan—ensuring each element aligns with the agency’s performance system and contributes appropriately to the overall rating.

Edit the performance elements

1. If policy allows, you may edit or add to the pre-populated performance elements. Click Edit in Part 7. Performance Elements to make changes.

   

2. The Edit Performance Elements page will open.  It will display the following fields
   • Employee Name: Displays the name of the employee whose performance plan is being edited.
   • Performance Element Review (Minimum/Maximum): Indicates the required range of performance elements that must be included in a plan (e.g., at least 2 and no more than 5 elements). Ensures compliance with agency policy. 
   • Evaluation Performance Elements Table: Lists all performance elements currently included in the employee’s performance plan
   • Name: The formal title of the performance element (e.g., “Oral Communication,” “Work Accomplishment,” “Customer Service”). This identifies what specific aspect of performance is being assessed.
   • Search Name: A short version or keyword used for searching and sorting performance elements within the system. Useful for locating specific elements quickly.
   • Range: Displays the allowed weighting range (minimum and maximum percentage) for that element as defined by system rules or agency policy. This ensures weighting stays within acceptable parameters (e.g., 25–35%). This is optional depending upon agency's policy. 
   • Weight: The assigned percentage value that determines how much the element contributes to the employee’s overall performance rating. The total of all element weights must equal 100%. This is also optional feature according to the agency's policy. 
   • Edit (Blue Button): Opens the selected performance element for modification—allowing changes to the element’s description, standards, or weighting.
   • Sub-Elements (Blue Button): Displays or manages sub-elements within the main performance element, if available. Sub-elements break down the element into specific tasks or behaviors for finer evaluation.
   • Remove from Plan (Red Button): Deletes the performance element from the employee’s plan. This option is only available when editing draft or in-progress plans.
   • Add Performance Element (Blue Button): Adds a new performance element to the employee’s plan from the system’s element library or a custom entry, ensuring required minimums are met.
   • Records Displayed: Allows users to select how many records (elements) appear per page (e.g., 10, 25, 50). This helps manage long lists of elements.
   • Save & Exit (Button): Saves any edits made to performance elements and exits the screen, returning the user to the main performance plan overview.

3. Click Edit associated with any performance element to edit.
4. The page opens to display the following fields:
   • Element Name: The title of the performance area being edited.
   • Element Text: The detailed explanation of what that element entails and how performance in that area will be assessed. The text box provides a flexible text box to allow for editing. 

3. Next, the Element Type specifies the level of importance of each performance element and determines whether it impacts the employee’s overall rating. If permitted by policy, you may select the element type as critical, non-critical, or additional.

   • Critical: Element rating affects the summary rating, and a Level 1 rating automatically results in a Level 1 summary rating.
   • Non-Critical: Element rating affects the summary rating, but a Level 1 rating does not automatically result in a Level 1 summary rating.
   • Additional: Element rating does not affect the summary rating. Select this option only if your agency's Performance Management policy allows.

   Note: If the element settings are grayed out, the agency policy dictated the pre-populated settings and will not be editable. 

   

4. Next is the strategic goal section, showing a searchable list of the agency’s official Strategic Goals from the Agency Strategic Plan. Users can select one or more goals that the performance element supports. Each goal reflects a key organizational objective. Use the dropdown to select goals, then click Add Strategic Goals.

7. If strategic goals were pre-populated in the performance plan, they stay at the top. Use the Goal Order arrows to reorder only the added strategic goals. To delete a mistakenly added goal, click Remove Goal and confirm.

   

8. Click Next.

9. The Rating Levels and Standard Text section opens up. It provides an overview aligned with your agency’s summary rating pattern. This section allows users to set performance rating levels and descriptive standards for each performance element.

   Note: The view will be based on your agency's summary rating pattern. 

   The following fields are shown: 

   • Performance Element – [Element Title]: Indicates which performance element is being defined (e.g., Technical Competence). The standards entered here will apply to this specific element in the performance plan.
   • Level: The numerical performance level (e.g., Level 1, Level 3, Level 5) assigned according to agency or OPM rating scales. Typically, Levels 1–5 correspond to Unacceptable through Outstanding (or Distinguished).
   • Level Name: The descriptive title for the corresponding level (e.g., Unacceptable, Effective, Distinguished). These names help communicate qualitative meaning for each rating level.
   • Points: The numeric value assigned to each level. These numbers are used in performance calculations to derive overall scores.
   • Standard Text: This is the performance standard description that explains what constitutes performance at this level. 
   • Required Checkbox: Indicates that the standard text for that level must be completed before saving or proceeding.
10. Review, add or edit standard text as your agency policy allows. Repeat for each level.
11. Click Next.

12. You will return to the Edit Performance Elements page and will repeat the process for additional element changes.

    Note: Any performance element selected as Additional element type will show a red exclamation icon.

    

Continue Error 

12. If you see an error notification, click Stay on this Page or Leave This Page and continue in the process.

Add additional performance elements

See also: Add Additional Performance Elements

1. If policy allows, you may add performance elements. On the Edit Performance Elements page, click Add Performance Element.

2. Click the appropriate Element Name to view the element text.

3. The element text opens. Click Close.

   

4. Click Add to Plan associated with the performance element to add.

   

5. If available, edit Element Text as needed.

6. If policy allows, you may select the element type as critical, non-critical or additional.

   Note: If the element settings are grayed out, the agency policy dictated the pre-populated settings and will not be editable.

7. Use the drop down to select one or more strategic goals. Click Add Strategic Goals.

8. If any strategic goals were pre-populated on the performance plan, those goals will remain at the top of the goal list. Use the Goal Order arrows to change the order of only the added strategic goals. If a goal was mistakenly added, click Remove Goal. You will be asked to confirm the action.

9. Click Next.
10. Review, add or edit standard text as your agency policy allows. Repeat for each level.

11. You will return to the Edit Performance Elements page and will repeat the process for additional element changes.

    Note: Any performance element assigned as Additional will show a red exclamation icon.

12. Click Next.
13. If you need to remove an element previously added, click Remove from Plan. You will be asked to confirm your action. Click Delete to confirm.

Edit Performance Element Weights 

1. If policy allows, you may edit performance element weights. Type the appropriate Weight (%) associated with each element within the given range. All weights must total 100.

Complete Performance Elements

1. After all elements have been accurately developed in the plan, click Save & Exit.

What's next:

• If you're the Employee → Reviewing the Plan
• If you're the Rating Official → Review the Plan as a Rating Official
• If you're the Reviewing Official → Sign a Performance Plan in the Planning Phase
• Not sure which applies? Check your agency's plan-signing policy.
• Looking for how to Add Additional Elements? → Add Additional Performance Elements