EVALUATING YOUR 360-DEGREE FEEDBACK PLATFORM
Are you in the process of setting up a 360-Degree feedback process and need help determining the right platform? This guide and checklist will help you evaluate the features and functionality of different offerings.
Let’s start with a few broader considerations to keep in mind as you evaluate your 360-Degree Feedback software options:
Administration
Any tool you choose should offer an intuitive administration platform that makes it easy to set up, deploy and administer surveys. It should give you control over survey features and distribution, as well as the ability to monitor progress across your surveys and projects. You should also ensure you have access to support services (particularly if launching surveys globally) including the ability to outsource administration of surveys and projects.
Look and Feel
We live in a tech world where looks matter. Software should not only do good, but it must also look good and feel good. Users have certain expectations regarding design and usability of software that impacts their level of engagement with the software and broader 360-Degree feedback process.
Survey Design and Deployment
A good software platform will allow you to create customised surveys in a range of formats and for distribution across different devices. The software should give you control over key survey attributes such as rating scale, language, respondent groups, and question type.
Technology and Information Security Requirements
For good reason, technology today must meet stringent information security requirements. Any tool you choose must conform with local and international information security requirements such as GDPR. The protection of data and individuals is simply not negotiable. Check with your own IT team for specific technology and information security requirements.
Evaluation Checklist
The following is a checklist of requirements to consider when evaluating software options for your 360-Degree Feedback initiative.
Survey Set Up
Ability to create surveys using different survey formats and question types
Access to a standard set of competencies and survey items
Ability to load and/or create customised competencies and survey items
Option to set and customise different respondent groups e.g., peers, direct reports, others
Access to different ratings scale and option to create custom rating scales
Survey and Project Administration
Ability to enter respondent details directly into the system
Option to import respondent details from spreadsheets such as Excel
Ability to customise all emails within the system including survey invitations and reminders
Ability to:
Schedule the release and close date and time for surveys
Schedule the timing of follow up reminders
Set minimum numbers for respondent groups
Set anonymity thresholds
Set how and when reports will be released
Select how respondents will be added including the option for participants to enter rater details themselves
Option to add and change respondents
Option to determine and manage the approval process for respondents
Ability to monitor the status and completion rates for surveys and projects
Survey Distribution and Reporting
Ability to distribute surveys in multiple languages
Surveys and assessments optimised for different devices including desktop, mobile and tablet
Option to generate reports on-demand individually or in batches
Ability Distribute reports automatically when feedback is complete
Access to online interactive reports
Ability to produce and share PDF reports
Ability to configure report format and features
Option to tailor/customise terminology, communication and branding within surveys
Report Features
Overall competency scores comparing self-ratings with the ratings of others
Detailed survey item level scores that breakdown results by different respondent groups
Range of scores across a competency and individual survey items
Top and lowest rated survey items
Competency scores compared to norms and benchmarks
Ability to display blind spots and hidden strengths based on set parameters
Option to compare survey results and importance ratings
Open-ended question responses
Progress scores against previous surveys
Follow Up and Development
Ability to link development resources to competencies
Option to set up follow up surveys that target specific competencies and behaviours (Pulse Surveys)
Ability to track development progress over time
Group Reporting and Data Insights
Ability to filter group data and outputs based on business, demographic and timing options
Access to real time group/team and business data for surveys, competencies and items including:
Average scores by competency (self and others)
Group strengths by competency
Group development priorities by competency
Group competency gaps
Ability to export raw data
