How to conduct a 360 survey project. We have prepared a complete guide for 360-degree feedback for you. This article will help you successfully prepare and conduct research in your organization in five easy steps.
- Set the objective
- Define scope and time
- Crete questionnaire
- Plan communication & collect feedback
- Discuss the results
Set the objective
As with any project, you need to define a goal before it begins. Research projects, including those related to 360-degree surveys, are no exception. The scope of the survey itself, data collection and communication method, and even the way you will be using the results depend on the study objective.
Example goals :
- Help your managers and employees in self-development.
- Assist your managers and employees in prioritizing development tasks.
- Help HR department in planning training and development for managers and employees.
Define scope and time
You have set the survey objective. Excellent. Now estimate the scope and time frame of your project. Decide who will be included in the survey and who will provide feedback. Determine whether you want to collect feedback from every possible perspective or only from selected groups (eg. self-assessment and supervisor). Thanks to its high flexibility, SurveyLab is very well suited to support any type of feedback research, including 90, 180, 270, and 360 degrees.
Sample groups of people that can provide feedback from a different perspective :
- Self-assessment
- Manager
- Peer
- Direct report
- Partner / client / supplier
A typical 360-degree survey lasts from 1 to 3 months, depending on the size of the organization, the number of interviews, and the length of the survey.
Create a questionnaire
If your company has a competency model, use it to create a survey. This way, you will be sure that the attitudes and competencies surveyed relate to the created model and support the company’s strategic goals.
To enable a quick start and speed up your work, we have prepared a 360 survey template. You can easily copy the template to your own account, modify it, and adapt it to your needs.
Plan communication & collect feedback
Plan communication and engage your employees from the very beginning. This is important. Explain the purpose of the survey and data collection process before the survey starts. Send an email to all people participating in the study and provide an email address where everyone can write and ask questions.
With SurveyLab you can schedule all communication, including invitations (with specific dates) and reminders about the study.
Discuss the results
Use the acquired knowledge to act. The survey results are valuable knowledge for people participating in the study, but also for your organization. Prepare and conduct development meetings with your employees that end with the creation of a personal development plan.
Read and find more insights in the article „Getting 360 Degree Reviews Right”, HBR 2012.