Running calibrations? It’s time to replace spreadsheets with something better

In the previous blog in this series, we explored how to reclaim your time with a more flexible process. This week, we’re tackling what you do with that time: running fair, focused, and efficient calibration meetings. Join our exclusive webinar, “From Process to Performance,” for a live demo of our new time-saving features and a special look at our AI roadmap. [EMEA] [NA]

Learn how to run calibration meetings that are fair, focused, and efficient.

Many HR teams associate the word “calibration” with the “pre-calibration scramble” – the work of exporting data into spreadsheets, wrestling with formatting, and chasing down managers for their input via email or chat.

Then comes the calibration meeting itself. Sometimes these meetings go smoothly; but I’ve also heard about sessions getting derailed and running over time due to lengthy discussions about individual employees. Sometimes the discussion is dominated by the loudest voices in the room, and those joining remotely struggle to participate equally. Meanwhile, the facilitator juggles screen-sharing, notetaking, and steering the conversation toward a fair outcome.

If this sounds familiar, it's because group decision-making is naturally prone to bias. Research from Yale shows that in a typical group discussion, a few people do the vast majority of the talking. This dynamic can lead to rushed decisions and undermines trust in the fairness of final outcomes.

But what if you could calibrate your data with a streamlined, strategic conversation? And what if you could ensure every voice is heard before the meeting even begins?

That’s exactly why we built Ratings Preview.

A new way to prepare

Ratings Preview transforms calibration by creating a simple, structured way to gather input before the live session. Calibrators are prompted directly in Culture Amp to share their perspective on each employee’s rating in the form of a response. They choose from three simple options:

I support the rating, I abstain if they don’t have enough context, or I have questions if they feel a discussion is needed.

This asynchronous approach is a game-changer, especially for distributed teams. It ensures everyone has an equal say, regardless of their time zone or comfort level with speaking up in a group.

From messy meetings to focused discussions

Once the responses are gathered, the magic happens. As the facilitator, you get a clear, consolidated overview showing exactly where your team of calibrators are aligned and where they disagree. This summary instantly highlights:

• Areas of agreement: Where everyone is on the same page, so you can acknowledge it and move on quickly.
• Discussion hotspots: The specific employees calibrators have questions about, allowing you to focus the conversation where it matters most.

Imagine being able to prep with insights like these. Suddenly, the meeting isn’t a line-by-line review of every employee. It’s a targeted, data-driven discussion about the outliers. You’re no longer an admin wrestling with the process in a spreadsheet; you’re a strategic facilitator proactively identifying fairness issues and guiding conversations to a more trusted and equitable outcome.

Ready to swap the spreadsheets and admin for real strategy and impact? Talk to your Customer Success Manager about using Ratings Preview in your upcoming performance cycle.

This is one part of a much bigger story about how HR teams can move from process to performance. If you’d like to see Ratings Preview in a live demo and discover our other new AI-powered tools for managers, join our upcoming customer webinar.

Register for "From Process to Performance" to save your spot. [EMEA] [NA]