You can create a review cycle from scratch, with AI, or from a template. This article covers all three paths, from naming your cycle to choosing the feedback types it uses. Each path produces an editable cycle draft that you configure before launch.

Before you begin

You must be:

• An admin with access to Engage > Reviews
• Able to see a published template, to create a cycle from a template

Create a review cycle from scratch

Note: The + Create dropdown has three options: Create with AI, Create from template, and Create from scratch. This section covers Create from scratch.

Step 1 – Open the Review cycles dashboard

• Go to Engage > Reviews in the left sidebar. The dashboard shows live, ready for launch, completed, and draft cycles.
• Click + Create in the top-right corner.
• Select Create from scratch.

Step 2 – Name your cycle

• Enter the Cycle name (required) on the Cycle details step. Include the cycle type and time period, for example: Bi-annual review cycle H1 2026. Employees and managers see this name.
• Enter a Description (optional, up to 2,000 characters). Explain the purpose of the cycle, such as which feedback sources are included or how results will be used.
• Click Continue, or click Save as draft to return later.

Note: The wizard has six steps: Cycle details, Set up feedback types, Visibility settings, Participants & access, Timeline, and Review. You can move between steps freely. Progress saves automatically as a draft.

Caution: Downward and Upward feedback come from the org chart on the People page. Incorrect reporting lines make those assignments inaccurate. Verify your org chart before launching.

Step 3 – Choose feedback types

• Toggle on each feedback type to include, or toggle Enable all at the top to enable all four. Enable at least one type.
• Click Configure form on each enabled type to build its questions. Each type shows a Not configured badge until its form is set up.
• Add at least one question to an enabled type before you click Continue.

The four feedback types

• Self review: Each employee writes a self-reflection on their own job performance.
• Downward feedback: Managers give structured feedback to their direct reports, following the reporting lines in the org chart.
• Upward feedback: Direct reports give feedback to their managers, following the org chart.
• Peer feedback: Employees receive feedback from nominated peers, or from peers that HR and managers assign. This type is not driven by the org chart.

Create a review cycle with AI

Both AI and template paths produce a fully editable cycle draft. You can adjust everything before launching.

Step 1 – Start Create with AI

• Go to the Review Cycles page and click Create new cycle.
• Select Create with AI.
• Select a preset, or select Enter your prompt.

Step 2 – Choose a preset

• Select Transparent 360 Review for all four feedback types. Feedback is shared immediately with reviewees, self review gates downward feedback, and upward and peer feedback are anonymized.
• Select Manager-Led Calibrated Review for self review and downward feedback only, with calibration. Results are shared only after the manager reviews and calibration ends, and weighted feedback types are enabled.
• Select Lightweight Self Review for self review only, with open-ended questions. There is no sharing or anonymization. It is the fastest to set up.

Note: A preset pre-fills the entire cycle configuration and the prompt field. You can edit the prompt before submitting.

Step 3 – Enter a custom prompt

• Select Enter your prompt and describe the cycle in your own words, up to 2,000 characters.
• Describe the purpose of the review, the audience, and any specific requirements.
• Set the optional parameters in Step 4 to guide what the AI generates.

Step 4 – Set optional parameters

• Select Feedback type: any combination of Self review, Downward feedback, Upward feedback, and Peer feedback. Select Share settings: keep feedback private, share automatically after submission, or share after manager approval.
• Select Questions mix: Qualitative (open-ended), Quantitative (rating scale), or Balanced (both).
• Select Scheduling phases to lock downward feedback until self review is complete, lock sharing until calibration is done, or both.

Step 5 – Submit and review the draft

• Submit the prompt. Deel generates the full cycle configuration.
• Review and edit every step of the generated draft before launching.

Note: The AI decides any parameter you leave blank, based on your prompt.

Tip: Give more context in your prompt. The more context you provide, the more accurately the AI configures the cycle.

Create a review cycle from a template

Note: A template must be published to start a review cycle from it. Draft templates do not appear in the dropdown selection.

Step 1 – Create a cycle from a template

• Click + Create on the Review cycles dashboard and select Create from template.
• Select the template.
• Click Create. Deel creates a draft pre-filled with the template's forms, settings, participants configuration, and timeline.

Step 2 – Edit the draft

• Click through every step and make any changes. Nothing from the template is locked.
• Publish or launch the cycle when the draft is ready.

Step 3 – Save a live cycle as a template

• Open the cycle and click the three-dot menu in the cycle hero section.
• Select Save as template.

Step 4 – Manage templates

• Go to Engage > Templates in the left navigation, then click the Review cycles tab.
• Click Create template to open the standard cycle setup flow. The result saves as a reusable template instead of a live cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions