Talentreviews

Talentreviews are a structured human resources practice in which an organization's leadership assesses the potential, readiness, and development needs of its current workforce to inform succession planning, development, and retention strategies. Often conducted as formal calibration meetings, talent reviews bring together managers, HR professionals, and executive sponsors to discuss a roster of identified high-potential employees and key talent across business units. The aim is to create a shared understanding of leadership readiness and to establish development plans and succession pipelines aligned with business strategy.

Inputs typically include performance data, potential assessments, critical-role readiness, competency models, and development histories. A common tool is the 9-box grid to map performance versus potential, though organizations vary in their methods. The process involves confidential discussions, calibration to reduce bias, and the documentation of targeted development actions and succession options. Outcomes include talent pools, concrete development plans, and identified successors for critical roles.

Governance is usually overseen by HR and an executive sponsor, with clear ownership and privacy safeguards. Benefits cited include improved visibility into leadership gaps, better alignment of talent with strategic priorities, and enhanced internal mobility. The approach can also help organizations retain high performers by providing clear pathways and development support.

Criticisms include potential subjectivity and bias, overemphasis on a limited set of individuals, confidentiality concerns, and negative effects on morale if not handled transparently. Best practices emphasize objective criteria, diverse review panels, regular calibration, links to development resources, and communication of outcomes to participants where appropriate.

Related topics include performance management, succession planning, talent management, and workforce planning.