50 Performance Review Phrases for Structural Engineers

Self Assessment Phrases - Achievements

• I led the structural design for [project], coordinating closely with architects and contractors.
• I produced calculations and drawings that consistently passed review with minimal revisions.
• I identified a design issue during the review of [project] before it reached construction.
• I stayed current on code requirements and applied updated standards to my designs without prompting.
• I coordinated effectively with MEP and architectural teams to resolve clashes early in the design process.
• I mentored a junior engineer through their first full set of construction documents.
• I responded to contractor RFIs promptly and with clear, practical guidance.
• I managed my project workload well despite tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• I performed site visits thoroughly and documented conditions accurately for the design team.
• I built a good working relationship with the reviewing authority, which kept permitting on track.

Self Assessment Phrases - Growth and Development

• I want to improve how early I flag potential design conflicts with other disciplines.
• I am working on communicating technical decisions more clearly to non-engineers on the project team.
• I would like to take on more responsibility for client-facing conversations rather than leaving them to senior staff.
• I sometimes spend more time than necessary refining calculations that are already within an acceptable margin.
• I want to get better at estimating how long a design task will actually take before committing to a deadline.
• I would benefit from more exposure to alternative structural systems outside my usual project types.
• I am learning to push back constructively when a schedule does not allow enough time for proper review.
• I want to improve my documentation habits so my calculations are easier for others to follow later.
• I recognize I can be hesitant to ask for help when a design problem is outside my usual experience.
• I would like to build more confidence presenting my design rationale directly to clients.

Peer Review Phrases

• They produce clean, well organized calculations that are easy for others to review.
• They catch coordination issues with other disciplines before they become costly problems.
• They are generous with their time when a colleague gets stuck on a design problem.
• They communicate clearly with contractors when responding to RFIs.
• They stay current on code changes and share relevant updates with the team.
• They noticed [a specific design or detailing issue] during a review and flagged it before it went further.
• They handle tight deadlines without cutting corners on quality.
• They are dependable and follow through on action items from design meetings.
• They explain technical decisions in a way that non-engineers on the project can understand.
• They work well with architects and contractors, even when discussions get tense.

Manager Review Phrases - Strengths

• They produce thorough, accurate calculations and rarely need significant rework after review.
• They coordinate well with other disciplines and catch conflicts early in the design process.
• They communicate clearly with clients and contractors, even on technically complex issues.
• They stay current on code requirements and apply them consistently across their projects.
• They handled the design challenges on [project] well, keeping the schedule on track.
• They mentor junior engineers effectively and are patient when explaining design decisions.
• They manage their workload well across multiple projects without missing deadlines.
• They respond to RFIs and site questions promptly and with practical guidance.
• They document their work clearly, which makes their calculations easy for others to follow.
• They raise concerns about schedule or scope before they become bigger problems.

Manager Review Phrases - Areas to Develop

• They would benefit from flagging coordination issues with other disciplines earlier in the process.
• I would like to see them take on more direct communication with clients rather than relying on senior staff.
• They sometimes spend more time than needed on tasks that are already within an acceptable margin of accuracy.
• Their documentation could be clearer for other engineers who need to pick up the work later.
• They could be more proactive about pushing back when a deadline does not allow enough time for proper review.
• I encourage them to ask for a second opinion sooner when a design problem is unfamiliar.
• They would benefit from more exposure to project types outside their usual area of focus.
• Their estimates for task duration could be more realistic, especially on complex designs.
• I would like them to build more confidence presenting their design rationale in client meetings.
• They could be more consistent in documenting site visit findings for the rest of the design team.

How to use these phrases

Don't paste these in verbatim. Pick the two or three closest to what you actually did, then make them specific: swap the generic claim for your own project, metric, or outcome. Use the rest as a checklist of themes worth covering in a Structural Engineer review, and see the Perform Review blog for guides on structuring the full review.