Educators sometimes feel hesitant when initially designing a performance assessment because they feel pressure to get it perfect on the first try. However, the task design process includes multiple opportunities for feedback, reflection, and revision. As carefully as an educator might draft an initial performance assessment plan, it will likely look different at the end of the process after feedback has been incorporated from colleagues and data analyzed from student work. Part of becoming a proficient task designer is learning to trust the process. Remember, the performance design process is a cycle -- this is just the first step. 

If you have experience with performance assessment design, feel free to start with a task you have already created.  Take a fresh look at it through the lens of Colorado’s Design Elements for high-quality performance assessment.


As you think about drafting a performance assessment, it is suggested that you work with a team. In fact, two teams working in tandem is ideal.  Each team works to draft a performance assessment idea by completing steps 1 – 7 of the Rapid Ideation template.  The two teams then come together to offer one another feedback.  Step 8 prompts each team to make revisions before creating their official performance assessment plan.  Make a copy of the template shared below to use as guide for your brainstorming session: