Personally, I think there are 2 tracks of promotion progression ie Fast track or Normal track. These tracks are tagged to individual CEP and how well liked you are by bosses. Fast track: Receive good Performance grading every year and get promoted every 2-3 years. Normal track: Promoted only when near or hit salary band ceiling and subject to vacancy in the next grade. Performance grading can be good, which reflects that bosses recognise your hard work and effort in taking up some projects/duties but that does not guarantee a promotion. If you want to appeal, think twice.. in my opinion, nothing change.