The admin has permissions to edit the Critical Elements and update the settings for each critical element. The Critical Elements will default according to the OPM memorandum. Template must be in edit mode to allow for template updates.
To edit the SES template critical elements, access via Admin on the top navigation bar. Click Manage SES Templates under SES Configuration. The Manage SES Template page will open. Click the Template Name to edit the SES template from the Template Name column.
- Click the Critical Elements Tab.
- The Critical Element Settings for [Template Name] page will open. Verify minimum and maximum element weights. Weights for Critical Elements 1 will default to a minimum of 25 percent. Weights for Critical Elements 2-5 will default to a minimum of 15 percent.
Page Controls & Labels
Critical Element Title – Displays the name and number of the SES Critical Element being configured.
- Minimum Weight (%) - Defines the minimum percentage weight that this Critical Element may contribute to the overall SES performance rating.
Maximum Weight (%) – Defines the maximum percentage weight that this Critical Element may contribute to the overall SES performance rating.
Standard Plan Language – Contains the standardized OPM-approved performance language for the selected Critical Element. This text provides baseline expectations applicable to all SES members under this template.
Agency-Specific Performance Requirements – Allows the agency to define additional performance requirements specific to its mission, priorities, or operational needs that supplement the Standard Plan Language.
Prohibit Editing of Agency-Specific Performance Requirements - Controls whether the Agency-Specific Performance Requirements text can be edited by executives, rating officials or plan creators.
Save - Stores all current field values (including weights and text fields) to the database and retains the template in an editable state.
Reset to Saved Template Settings - Reverts the current screen values to the most recently saved version of the template.
Reset to OPM Standard Settings - Restores the template’s Critical Elements and related fields to the original OPM-defined standard values.
Finalize Template - Locks the SES template so it can be used for performance plans and prevents further modification.
- For Critical Elements 1-5, the Standard Plan Language will default to the performance requirements language outlined per OPM guidance.
- For Critical Elements 1-4, include any appropriate Agency-Specific Performance Requirements to auto-populate on the SES plans and determine permission for executives to edit agency-specific requirements. To prohibit editing, click Prohibit editing of Agency-Specific Performance Requirements for that critical element.
- For Critical Element 5, includes Standard Plan Language (Optional) as applicable to populate on the SES plans.
- Next, select the Critical Element 5 Rating Method.
- Holistic: Critical Element 5 is rated as a whole. Performance requirements are not individually rated.
- Majority: Performance requirements are individually rated. Critical Element 5 rating must be manually selected based on your agency's SES policy.
- Simple Average: Performance requirements are individually rated. Critical Element 5 is calculated automatically based on its performance requirement ratings.
- Weighted: Performance requirements are individually rated. Critical Element 5 is calculated automatically based on its performance requirement ratings and the weight of each performance requirement.
- When using Simple Average or Weighted formula types, the levels will default with the maximum values shown below. Adjust the values within the range of 100 – 500 based on your agency’s policy.
- Click Save.
- Click Yes, Change Settings to confirm your action.
- If you need to reset back to the saved organization settings, click Reset to Saved Template Settings. You will receive a confirmation message.
- If you need to reset back to OPM standards, click Reset to OPM Standard Settings. You will receive a confirmation message.
Note: If the template is ready, you may click Finalize Template once Critical Element 5 Rating Method is selected.