How to Nail Self-Evaluation and Career Appraisal for Part 3 Success

So, you’ve taken the leap and embarked on the RIBA Part 3 journey—exciting times! This is a monumental step towards becoming a fully qualified architect in the UK. But let’s be honest, it’s not just about passing exams or ticking boxes. The Part 3 journey is also about reflecting on who you are as an architect and shaping the professional you aspire to be.

Two critical tools in this process? Self-evaluation and career appraisal. Yep, they might sound a little “corporate,” but trust me, they’re the secret weapons that will not only help you pass but also set you up for long-term success in the architectural world.

In this post, we’re going to break it all down—why self-evaluation and career appraisal are so important, how to approach them effectively, and the pitfalls to avoid along the way. By the end, you’ll be equipped with practical strategies to crush this part of your Part 3 prep (and maybe even enjoy it). Let’s dive in!

🤷‍♀️ Why Self-Evaluation is a Game-Changer

Think of self-evaluation as the Google Maps of your professional journey. It tells you where you are, where you want to go, and (crucially) how to get there.

But it’s not just about jotting down a list of strengths and weaknesses. It’s a deeper dive into your experiences, decisions, and actions—what went well, what didn’t, and what you’ve learned. This process isn’t just good for your Part 3; it’s a lifelong habit that will keep you growing as an architect. At first glance, the task might seem trivial and a mere formality. However, after a few years of reading about productivity and looking deeper into the topic, I can assure you that a good one-on-one with yourself, for self-evaluation will go a long way, beyond the Part 3 experience. For proof of this look no further than titles such as (I recommended this book before) Atomic Habits by James Clear, Deep Work by Cal Newport and Getting Things Done by David Allen. If I cannot convince you, those books will stand a better chance.

How to Nail Your Self-Evaluation

Set aside time for reflection. Self-evaluation doesn’t happen in five minutes between emails. Block out an hour, grab a coffee (or tea, no judgment), and dig in. Even this might not be enough to look deep enough. Set a time each week to work on this part of your document and career. Do not skip the process of setting goals, evaluating the process and adjusting course where needed.
Ask the right questions. What were your biggest wins this year? Where did you struggle? What feedback did you get from peers or clients, and how did you act on it? You need to review your goals through those questions and generate the motivation to take action. Let the process be your guide for constant improvement.
Document your thoughts. Use a journal, a digital app, or even a spreadsheet—whatever works for you. The key is to create a record you can revisit and build on. Optimally, this started right after your Part 1 studies but I will not be too harsh if you only make a start now. The important thing is to aim to document feedback from previous managers, peers and co-workers. If you worked in a company that undertakes regular performance reviews, you will be able to use some of those notes for your self-evaluation chapter to really make your submission stand out.

Pro tip: Don’t just focus on the negatives. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small. That time you nailed a client presentation? Own it.

🛰️ The Power of Career Appraisal

If self-evaluation is your Google Maps, career appraisal is your highlight reel. It’s a way to document your professional journey, showcase your achievements, and (most importantly) connect the dots between your experiences and the Part 3 criteria.

At its core, career appraisal is about telling your story. What projects have you worked on? What challenges did you tackle? How have you grown? It’s not just for your Part 3 assessors—it’s for you, too. Seeing your progress laid out in black and white is a massive confidence boost.

Steps to Crush Your Career Appraisal

Start with the basics. List all your projects, roles, and key responsibilities. Don’t overthink it—just get it all down. Set yourself a 10 minutes timer. Write down everything that comes to mind without filtering anything out. There will be time for editing later.
Highlight key achievements. What impact did you have? Did you improve a process, solve a tricky problem, or go above and beyond? Be specific. Take the notes you made and start looking into them one by one. Give yourself time to focus your attention on one point at a time.
Link to the RIBA/ARB criteria. Show how your experiences align with the core competencies. This step is critical for Part 3 success.

🕳️ Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Now, let’s talk about what not to do. The main thing, in my opinion, is not to rush. Don't rush the process, or the gathering of knowledge or the Part 3 process. The self-evaluation and career appraisal might highlight that you are missing some experience, that you are becoming specialised in some type of architecture earlier that you wanted, or that your skills are mainly used for trivial tasks. Don't rush it. Take your time to understand what happened, were you are right now and set goals for your future. The self-evaluation and career appraisal can be tricky, and it’s easy to fall into a few traps:

Inflating your achievements. It’s tempting to make yourself look like a superhero, but authenticity wins every time. Be honest about your contributions—people can spot exaggeration a mile away. The opposite is also a big NO. Do not let yourself drop into a pit of despair by believing that you have done nothing worth mentioning.
Overloading on detail. Yes, documentation is important, but assessors don’t need a novel. Stick to the highlights and keep it concise. You also do not have the word count to create a work which can match 'War and peace' in length. Be efficient and be relevant. When presenting too many pointless details, the evaluator will think that you have nothing better to talk about.
Skipping reflection. Self-evaluation isn’t just about listing what you’ve done—it’s about learning from it. Take the time to ask why things went the way they did.

Pro tip: If you’re stuck, ask for feedback. Peers, mentors, and supervisors can provide invaluable insights you might have overlooked.

🎸 Practical Tools to Help You

You don’t have to tackle this all on your own. The following tools and techniques can make self-evaluation and career appraisal a breeze:

Journaling apps: Notion, Evernote, or even plain old Google Docs are great for tracking your thoughts and experiences.
Feedback sessions: Schedule regular check-ins with your mentor or supervisor to get their perspective on your progress. Talk to your previous supervisors, colleagues and tutors.
Templates: Use career appraisal templates (or create your own) to structure your documentation and ensure you’re covering all the bases. Use the PEDRs to kill to birds with one stone.

🎓 Why This Matters for Part 3—and Beyond

Self-evaluation isn't just about ticking boxes for the Part 3 exam—it's a core skill for lifelong productivity and career development. By regularly reflecting on your progress, you’re essentially conducting a performance review of yourself. This habit keeps you laser-focused on what matters most, helps you prioritize tasks, and identifies areas where you can improve. For architects, where projects are long-term and require juggling countless moving parts, this kind of clarity is invaluable.

Think of it as building a feedback loop. When you evaluate your performance and align it with your goals, you're more likely to spot inefficiencies in your workflow or skill gaps that could be holding you back. This isn’t just useful for acing Part 3 but sets the stage for consistently high performance throughout your career. Over time, you’ll become adept at aligning your efforts with what adds the most value—whether that’s mastering a new software tool, improving team communication, or deepening your design expertise.

⏭️ Your Next Steps

Ready to get started? Here’s what to do next:

Block out an hour this week to reflect on your recent projects.
Download a career appraisal template and start filling it in.
Ask a trusted colleague or mentor for feedback on your self-evaluation.

And if you’re looking for more tips, resources, or just some moral support, check out my free Part3Prodigy email course or browse the other blog posts on self-development and professional growth.

👋 Final Thoughts

Self-evaluation and career appraisal might seem daunting, but they’re some of the most rewarding parts of the Part 3 journey. They’re your chance to take stock, celebrate your progress, and map out where you want to go next.

So, grab a coffee, dive in, and start reflecting. Your future self—and your Part 3 assessors—will thank you.