# Merit Cycles Set-Up ## Merit Cycle Set Up Conducting a Merit Cycle within an organization is a multi-step and multi-party process. It starts with an HR or People Operations leader configuring the Cycle within OpenComp. This process involves * defining the Cycle's parameters, i.e., Start, End & Effective Date, * selecting the eligible employees, * setting a budget, * designating a Budget Owner, i.e., the individual that will propose the comp changes, and * specifying the approval flow for the cycle Below is a step-by-step guide on the Merit Cycle Set-Up Process. 1\. To begin, click Cycles on the top Nav and then click Get Started 2\. Specify the type of cycle, its name and the relevant dates. 3\. Designate the compensation components included the cycle and the eligible employees. 4\. Specify the budget for the cycle 5\. Option Enable Cash Raise Recommendations 6\. Cash Raise Recommendations are presented in a grid of salary quartiles and performance scores (if provided). Typically, employees at the lower quartiles, i.e., \ 7\. Specify additional configurations 8\. Designated budget owners for employees' merit cycle review 9\. Enter a budget amount for the budget owner. 10\. Define the approval flow for the cycle. 11\. Send the Cycle's Assignment notice. Budget owners will receive an email informing them of their participation in a cycle on the date the cycle commences.

--- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://success.opencomp.com/opencomp-knowledge-base/product-guides/merit-cycles/merit-cycles-set-up.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.