We do a 1-5 point based system bi-yearly, but I'm actually wondering how people respond to under performing coworkers. I feel weighed down a bit because a review is coming up and I can't imagine giving said person more than a 2, but he is also a nice guy and tries very hard while simultaneously making a mess of most things.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. We're typically asked to discuss negative feedback with managers beforehand and it's important to note that these reviews are not anonymous.