Assessment process
A clear sequence from evidence-rich nomination to endorsed winner.
The process is designed to keep standards visible at every stage, avoid popularity bias, and protect the integrity of the final shortlist.
Process
How the awards process works
The DSSA Recognition Awards process is designed to be clear, fair and evidence based. It gives eligible DSSA staff, excluding directors, the opportunity to nominate an individual, team or project, while ensuring nominations are reviewed consistently and assessed against transparent criteria.
Overview
The awards process takes place over several stages, from open nominations through to assessment, endorsement and announcement. Each stage is designed to recognise meaningful contributions that go beyond routine business as usual, while avoiding popularity-based decisions.
Step-by-step timeline
From nomination to announcement.
- 01
Open nominations
DSSA team members may nominate (including self-nominations). Nominations must select one award category and provide a concise, evidence-based submission (no more than 100 words). Directors will not be allowed to nominate.
- 02
Eligibility and quality triage
After nominations close, the Change and Culture Champions review submissions to confirm eligibility, remove low-evidence nominations and merge duplicates.
- 03
Assessment and selection
All nominations that progress past step two will go to the ELT for discussion and selection.
- 04
Awards announcement
Award recipients are announced at the branch Town Hall on 29 June 2026.
How nominations are assessed
Evidence matters more than visibility.
Nominations are assessed on the quality of the evidence provided, not on popularity or visibility. The process is intended to recognise impact, observable behaviours and meaningful contributions that go beyond core role expectations. This helps ensure that quieter contributors and behind-the-scenes work are recognised alongside more visible achievements.
Alignment
How well the nomination matches the selected award category.
Evidence of impact
Clear examples of contribution and outcomes.
Branch benefit
The value delivered to the broader team, branch or organisation.
Fairness and guiding principles
Consistency, transparency and fairness are built into the process.
The awards process is guided by a set of principles to support fairness, consistency and transparency. These include recognising impact rather than self-promotion, rewarding contributions beyond routine delivery, using evidence-based assessment, and avoiding popularity contests. The process also aims to ensure recognition is accessible to quieter contributors and those working behind the scenes.
Recognise impact and observable behaviours
Value contributions beyond business as usual
Use evidence-based decisions
Avoid popularity-based selection
Support fairness, consistency and probity
Recognise quieter contributors and behind-the-scenes work
Apply clear criteria consistently at every stage
Key dates
Important dates and information.
Nominations open
The round opens and eligible DSSA staff, excluding directors, can begin submitting nominations.
Shortlisting and triage
Eligibility, evidence quality and duplicate submissions are reviewed.
Assessment
Nominations that pass triage are assessed by the ELT against transparent criteria.
Awards announced
Award recipients are announced at the branch Town Hall.
Important information
- Branch-wide voting is not used to determine winners, helping to avoid decisions based on popularity.
- Directors are not eligible to submit nominations and are not involved in the nomination or assessment process until the assessment stage.
Nominations are closed.
The nomination period has closed and submitted nominations are now being reviewed.