[UncleMeat]

You don't need them. But they help. If I know that a report really wants to grow into a more senior position and an opportunity comes up that feels like it will give them a great stretch project, I'll let them know about it and see if they jump on it. Promotions are rarely about "doing more" but instead are about doing a different class of thing.

[wonderingdev]

In my company we have a different "trial period" for promotions and "role-shifting", outside the goals' framework. In my case that doesn't apply then, but I understand your point. You can as well put in place goals for the report in a private way (e.g.: discussions in 121s).