When reviewing plans, consider the various similarities among elements. If the organization uses developmental standards for elements (e.g. HR Specialists GS 5-7 will have base standards and GS 9-11 HR Specialists have similar standards with additional or higher complexity level duties included), organizations can establish one element with multiple standards groups assigned for those variances.
Performance elements cannot be created without the association of at least one standards group; however, standards groups can be created prior to the assignment to a performance element.
- Click Admin.
Click Manage Performance Standards Library under Other Performance Configuration.
- The Performance Standards Library will allow you to view all standards previously created.
Click Create Performance Standards Group.
- The Create Performance Standards Group tab will open.
Create Performance Standards
This page is used to create a new Performance Standards Group, which defines the rating levels (e.g., Level 1–5) and the text that describes expected performance at each level. These standards are later linked to Performance Elements and used by Rating Officials to evaluate employee performance. Here are the fields and descriptions:
Performance Standards Group (Required): The name or title for the group of standards (e.g., “Technical Competence Standards,” “Communication Standards”). This name will appear when assigning standards to elements.
Organization (Required): Dropdown to select which organization owns or governs this standards group. Determines who can use or edit the group.
Rating Level Fields (Level 1–Level 5)
Each rating level contains two components: Name and Text. These levels align with the rating scale used in performance plans (typically a 1–5 point scale).
Level [Number] Name (Required) and Text: Specifies the level label and narrative description utilized in performance plans, typically representing the established expectations.
- Delete Level [Number] Button: Removes a selected rating level (e.g., Level 2, 4, or 5) from the Performance Standards Group, letting admins reduce rating levels by deleting unused ones.
Save Performance Standards Group (Button): Saves all levels and descriptions to create the standards group. Makes the standards available for use in performance elements.
Cancel (Button): Discards unsaved changes and returns to the previous page.
Complete all required fields and any applicable optional fields. An asterisk (*) denotes a required field. Use the drop-down menu to determine the organization for which this standards group will be applicable.
- If all standard levels are not needed, click Delete Level [Number] to remove a level.
- Scroll down to click Save Performance Standards Group. You will receive a confirmation message.
- Once the standards group is saved the Associations tab will populate.
Associations Tab
The Associations tab is used to define which Pay Plan, Series, and Grade combinations the new Performance Element applies to, ensuring it is available for the correct employees when building performance plans.
This ensures that each element is properly filtered and available only where relevant in the performance planning process.
- Click Associations and use the drop-down menus to align this standards group with Pay Plan, Series, and Grade applicable.
Pay Plan*: This mandatory field designates the pay system (e.g., GS, ES, SL/ST) and the corresponding employee category to which it applies.
Series*: This mandatory field specifies the occupational series (e.g., 0301, 0343) and determines the job-type specificity.
Grade*: This mandatory field specifies the grade level(s) to which the element applies (e.g., GS-07, GS-12) and ensures that the element is accessible only to employees at the designated levels.
Search (Field + Button): Allows searching for existing associations to review or update.
Reset (Button): Clears the search criteria and restores the default view.
- Click Add. You will receive a confirmation message. The results will appear in the table.
Pay Plan–Series–Grade: Shows the fully combined classification applied to the performance element.
Action: Provides options to remove an association if it was added in error or is no longer needed.