Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phineas only for workplace managers?

Phineas is designed for anyone who needs to make better decisions about people by documenting observable behavior over time. While the primary use case is workplace managers, it works for HR professionals, new managers, and multi-manager teams. A version built specifically for classroom teachers is in development.

I manage a team at work. Is this for me?

Yes. Phineas is built for workplace managers who need to document behavior over time performance issues, coaching conversations, and patterns that are hard to articulate come review time. It keeps your observations structured, objective, and defensible when it matters most.

I am a new manager. Will this help me?

Yes. Phineas guides you through a consistent documentation process from day one so you are building good habits before you need them, not after.

I work in HR. Is Phineas useful for me?

Yes. Phineas helps the managers you support build documented records before concerns reach your desk so you are working with evidence, not impressions.

I am a classroom teacher. Can I use Phineas?

Yes. Phineas works for teachers who need to document student behavior patterns over time tracking what you observe, identifying trends, and building a record that supports parent conversations, IEP discussions, or administrative referrals. A version built specifically for the classroom is in development. Contact us at support@askphineas.com if you are interested in early access.

What is Phineas?

Phineas is a behavioral intelligence platform for managers. It helps you observe, document, and make sense of your team members' workplace behavior over time — so you can coach more effectively and make better-informed decisions.

Who is Phineas for?

Phineas is built for managers who want to lead with evidence, not gut feel. If you're responsible for a team and you've ever struggled to articulate why someone is thriving or struggling, Phineas is for you.

How is Phineas different from performance review software?

Performance review software captures ratings and feedback at a point in time. Phineas captures observable behavior continuously — building a picture over time rather than a snapshot at review season. It's a tool for the work of managing, not just the paperwork of it.

What does "behavioral intelligence" mean?

It means making decisions based on what you can actually observe — specific actions and patterns — rather than impressions, assumptions, or personality judgments. Phineas keeps your notes grounded in what happened, not what you think of someone.

What is an observation?

An observation is a record of something you witnessed — a specific behavior, interaction, or event involving a team member. You log it in plain language; Phineas structures and stores it for you.

What is a case?

A case is an active period of focused attention on a team member. It groups related observations together so you can track patterns, assess what's happening, and decide what action to take.

What is an assessment report?

When you're ready, Phineas generates an assessment report from the observations in a case. It summarizes the behavioral patterns detected and helps you decide on next steps — whether that's a coaching conversation, a performance action, or closing the case.

Does Phineas use AI? How?

Yes. When you log an observation in plain language, Phineas uses AI to translate it into a structured behavioral record — removing editorial language and keeping only what's observable. AI also assists with pattern detection and assessment report generation. You remain in control of all decisions.

What happens if I include positive behavior observations?

They get logged just like any other observable behavior. This creates a well-rounded view of your team member's performance over time — highlighting strengths alongside areas for improvement, which is exactly what you need for coaching and development conversations.

Is it less defensible if I only log negative behaviors?

Yes. A one-sided record can look retaliatory or biased if challenged. Documenting both positive and negative observable behaviors gives you a more credible, balanced record that holds up under scrutiny.

Can Phineas see my employees' data?

Your data is not accessible to other users. For full details on how your data is stored, processed, and protected, see our Privacy Policy.

What plans are available?

Phineas offers two plans: Individual ($39/month) for a single manager, and Team ($299/month) for up to 10 managers under one account.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Both plans include a 14-day free trial. No charge until the trial ends.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time. You'll retain access through the end of your current billing period.

What's the difference between Individual and Team plans?

The Individual plan supports one manager. The Team plan supports up to 10 managers, with an account owner who can invite team members and manage roles.

Who can see the data I enter?

Other managers cannot access your observations, cases, or team member records — these are scoped strictly to your account. On Team plans, account owners and admins can see the list of managers in the account (names, email addresses, and roles) through the Team Settings screen, but cannot access any manager's operational data.

How is my data stored?

Your data is stored in Cloudflare's D1 database infrastructure. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Is Phineas HIPAA compliant?

Phineas is not designed or marketed as a HIPAA-compliant platform. It is not intended for storing protected health information.

How do I add my team?

After signing up, you'll be guided through onboarding. Adding a team member takes about 30 seconds — just a name and an optional identifier.

How do I invite other managers? (Team plan)

From the Team Settings screen, account owners and admins can invite managers by email. Invited managers receive an email with a link to join your account.