Merit cycles powered by
real-time market data.
Stop running comp cycles in disconnected spreadsheets. Combine internal position data, benchmark ranges, and live market signals into structured workflows with budget controls and approval routing.
Used by HR teams at 1,000+ organizations
Compensation Cycle Workflows
From market data to
approved pay decisions.
Configure your merit matrix, distribute pre-populated worksheets to managers, and track budget in real time — all integrated with SalaryCube market data.
2026 Merit Cycle
Engineering Department
Sarah M.
Sr. Engineer
Compa
0.95
Rec.
4.5%
James K.
Staff Engineer
Compa
1.08
Rec.
2.0%
Priya R.
Engineer II
Compa
0.82
Rec.
6.5%
What is SalaryCube Comp Planning?
Key capabilities and benefits customized for this product
| Capability | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Three-Layer Decision Model | Combines internal position data, benchmark pay ranges, and live Bigfoot market signals into every recommendation |
| Merit Matrix Builder | Configure guideline matrices by performance rating and compa-ratio band with full version history |
| Manager Worksheets | Distribute pre-populated worksheets to managers with guardrails, budget constraints, and smart flags |
| Budget Controls | Set department-level budget pools with real-time spend tracking and automatic warnings |
| Approval Workflows | Multi-step approval routing with exception escalation and audit trail |
| AI-Assisted Recommendations | Explainable AI suggestions that managers can accept, adjust, or override — AI-assisted, not AI-decided |
Tired of These Problems?
Merit cycles run in disconnected spreadsheets with no version control or audit trail
Managers make pay decisions using 6-month-old survey data instead of current market rates
HR spends weeks consolidating spreadsheets, chasing approvals, and reconciling budgets manually
Bigfoot Live solves all of these →
| Traditional Surveys | Bigfoot Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Data Freshness | Annual | Updated Daily |
| Conflicting Data | Multiple sources vary | One transparent method |
| Pricing Speed | Manual, slow process | Instant results |
| Survey Participation | Complex salary surveys | Participation not required |
Powerful Features
Clear workflow. Consistent matches. Fast approvals.
Three-Layer Decision Model
Internal + Benchmark + Live Market
Every recommendation draws from three data layers: internal position and tenure data, your configured benchmark pay ranges, and live Bigfoot market signals. Managers see where each employee sits relative to all three — not just one dimension.
Merit Matrix Builder
Performance x Position Guideline Grid
Build guideline matrices that map performance ratings to compa-ratio bands. Set min/mid/max increase percentages per cell. Version and snapshot your matrices each cycle for auditability.
Manager Worksheets
Pre-Populated with Guardrails
Distribute worksheets pre-filled with employee data, current pay positioning, guideline ranges, and market context. Smart flags highlight exceptions. Budget bars show remaining spend in real time.
Budget Controls & Approval Routing
From Planning to Payout
Set budget pools by department or cost center. Track spend as managers submit recommendations. Route exceptions through multi-step approval workflows. Export finalized decisions to your HRIS or payroll.
How Comp Planning Works
Follow a clear, repeatable process. Match jobs consistently. Export benchmarks with full documentation.
Configure the Cycle
Set the cycle type (merit, market adjustment, promotion), define eligible populations, build your guideline matrix, and set department budgets.
Distribute Worksheets to Managers
Managers see pre-populated worksheets with employee data, guideline ranges, market signals, and AI-assisted recommendations. Smart flags highlight exceptions and budget impact.
Review, Approve, and Export
Route exceptions through approval workflows. Track budget in real time. Snapshot the final state for audit. Export to HRIS or payroll with full decision history.
Get Results Instantly
Search, analyze, and export in seconds
Core Statistics
Get median, 25th, 75th percentiles instantly
Excel Export
Download your analysis with one click
Updated Daily
Always work with the freshest market data
Why Choose Comp Planning?
- 1
Three-layer decision model integrates internal data, benchmark ranges, and live market signals
- 2
AI-assisted, not AI-decided — explainable recommendations managers can override
- 3
Built-in market data from SalaryCube eliminates the need for separate survey imports
- 4
Designed for mid-market companies (200–5,000 employees) without enterprise implementation burden
- 5
Snapshot-based auditability with full decision history for every cycle
Not ready to book? Request a quote first
Export & Integration Options
Get your data where you need it—Excel export included, custom integrations available
HRIS Import (employee data)
Excel Export (XLSX)
CSV Export (payroll-ready)
Enterprise-ready • Role-based access controls • Snapshot-based auditability
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Comp Planning
Ready to Replace Spreadsheet-Based Merit Cycles?
Run comp cycles with real-time market data, AI-assisted recommendations, budget controls, and full audit trails — all inside SalaryCube.