Peer Review Template

Managers see one side of an employee's work. Peers see another. This peer review template gives your team a structured way to provide feedback on the colleagues they work with day to day -- covering collaboration, communication, reliability, and overall contribution.

Peer reviews are a core component of 360-degree feedback and are especially useful on small teams where people depend heavily on each other. When done well, they surface insights that no top-down review can capture.

When to Use This Template

As part of an annual or semi-annual performance review cycle, alongside manager evaluations
During a 360-degree feedback process where each employee is reviewed by their manager, peers, and (if applicable) direct reports
After a major project to gather team-level feedback on collaboration and individual contributions
When building a culture of continuous feedback and you want a structured starting point

Each employee should be reviewed by two to four peers for balanced, representative feedback. More than four tends to create survey fatigue without adding proportional value.

Peer Review Form

Review Period: ________ / ________ / ________ to ________ / ________ / ________

Person Being Reviewed: _______________________________________

Their Job Title: _______________________________________

Reviewer Name (optional -- may be anonymous): _______________________________________

Reviewer's Relationship to This Person: [ ] Same team [ ] Different team, frequent collaboration [ ] Cross-functional project partner [ ] Other: _____________

Date: ________ / ________ / ________

Rating Scale

Use the following scale for each item:

Rating	Meaning
5	Exceptional -- A clear strength; consistently stands out
4	Strong -- Above expectations in this area
3	Solid -- Meets expectations reliably
2	Developing -- Shows potential but inconsistent
1	Needs Improvement -- Falls short of expectations
N/A	Not enough interaction to rate

Section 1: Collaboration and Teamwork

Item	Rating	Comments
Works well with others and contributes to team goals	_____	_______________________________________
Shares information, resources, and credit willingly	_____	_______________________________________
Is open to others' ideas and perspectives	_____	_______________________________________
Pitches in when the team needs extra help	_____	_______________________________________
Handles disagreements constructively and professionally	_____	_______________________________________

Section 2: Communication

Item	Rating	Comments
Communicates clearly in writing and conversation	_____	_______________________________________
Keeps colleagues informed and updated on relevant work	_____	_______________________________________
Listens attentively and asks good questions	_____	_______________________________________
Gives feedback in a respectful and constructive way	_____	_______________________________________
Responds to messages and requests in a timely manner	_____	_______________________________________

Section 3: Reliability and Work Quality

Item	Rating	Comments
Follows through on commitments and meets deadlines	_____	_______________________________________
Produces accurate, thorough work	_____	_______________________________________
Takes ownership of tasks without needing reminders	_____	_______________________________________
Can be counted on during high-pressure situations	_____	_______________________________________
Identifies and addresses problems proactively	_____	_______________________________________

Section 4: Problem Solving and Initiative

Item	Rating	Comments
Brings creative ideas and solutions to the table	_____	_______________________________________
Adapts well to changing priorities or unexpected challenges	_____	_______________________________________
Takes initiative without waiting to be told what to do	_____	_______________________________________
Looks for ways to improve processes or outcomes	_____	_______________________________________
Makes sound decisions under uncertainty	_____	_______________________________________

Section 5: Professionalism and Attitude

Item	Rating	Comments
Maintains a positive and professional demeanor	_____	_______________________________________
Handles stress without negatively affecting others	_____	_______________________________________
Shows respect for others' time, opinions, and boundaries	_____	_______________________________________
Is receptive to feedback and willing to grow	_____	_______________________________________
Represents the team and company well	_____	_______________________________________

Open-Ended Questions

What are this person's greatest strengths as a colleague?

What is one area where this person could improve?

Describe a specific situation where this person made a positive impact on your work or the team.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Summary (For HR / Manager Use)

Use this section to compile feedback from all peer reviewers for this employee.

Field	Entry
Number of Peer Reviews Received	_______________________________________
Average Rating -- Collaboration	_______________________________________
Average Rating -- Communication	_______________________________________
Average Rating -- Reliability	_______________________________________
Average Rating -- Problem Solving	_______________________________________
Average Rating -- Professionalism	_______________________________________
Overall Average Rating	_______________________________________
Common Strengths	_______________________________________
Common Areas for Improvement	_______________________________________
Compiled By	_______________________________________ Date: ________ / ________ / ________

How to Use This Template

Select peer reviewers. For each employee, choose two to four colleagues who work closely with them. Let the employee suggest one or two peers if you want their input on who knows their work best.
Distribute the form. Send the template to each reviewer with clear instructions on the deadline and whether responses will be anonymous.
Set a deadline. Give reviewers five to seven business days to complete the form. Peer reviews take thought, so avoid last-minute requests.
Compile the results. Aggregate ratings and summarize open-ended comments in the summary section. Look for patterns across reviewers rather than focusing on any single response.
Share with the employee's manager. The compiled peer feedback should be discussed alongside the manager's own evaluation to form a complete picture.
Incorporate into the performance conversation. During the review meeting, reference themes from the peer feedback. Highlight strengths and discuss areas for growth with specific examples.
File the compiled summary. Keep the aggregated results in the employee's personnel file. If individual forms are anonymous, destroy them after compiling to maintain confidentiality.

Peer reviews work best when trust is high. If your team is new to peer feedback, start with just the open-ended questions and add the rating sections once people are comfortable with the process.

Tips for Small Businesses

Keep it focused. On a small team, people already have a clear picture of each other's work. You do not need an exhaustive form -- focus on the categories that matter most to your business.
Protect anonymity carefully. On teams of three or four, writing style alone can reveal who wrote a review. Consider having one person (the owner, HR, or an outside party) compile responses and paraphrase comments.
Balance positive and constructive. Encourage reviewers to share both strengths and areas for growth. A review that is all praise or all criticism is not useful.
Use it to build culture. Peer reviews signal that feedback is normal, expected, and valued. Over time, this reduces the awkwardness and increases the quality of input.

Peer feedback is most valuable when it is part of a consistent, organized review process. Boring HR's Team Tracker helps small businesses manage performance records, employee details, and review cycles in one place.