How to Onboard Reviewers Effectively

Effective onboarding makes reviews faster, fairer and less stressful for everyone.

• Give clear criteria and examples of good answers.
• Run a short calibration session with sample applications.
• Provide a simple, secure workspace like Plinth.

Prepare materials

Set reviewers up with the right context and tools.

• Guidance on eligibility, scoring and conflicts.
• Example scores showing what “good” looks like.
• A quick start video or checklist.

Key takeaway: clarity upfront prevents inconsistency later.

Support during reviews

Stay responsive and keep communication tidy.

• Central Q&A channel and documented clarifications.
• AI summaries and evidence highlights to save time.
• Reminders for deadlines and missing scores.

Key takeaway: Plinth reduces admin so reviewers focus on judgement.

After the round

Capture learning to improve next time.

• Review edge cases and scoring spread.
• Update examples and rubrics.
• Thank reviewers and keep a talent pool.

Key takeaway: continuous improvement increases fairness and speed.

FAQs

How long should training be?

Often 45–60 minutes is enough with a live demo.

Should reviewers meet?

Useful for calibration; asynchronous reviews work well afterwards.

Can non‑experts review?

Yes with clear criteria and conflict management.