For businesses that want to truly understand the dynamics within their organisations, 360 degree surveys are essential. 360 degree feedback surveys have become a common practice in many organisations because the right application can gather detailed and actionable feedback from an employee’s peers, supervisors, subordinates, and even customers. That data can then be used for training, improvement, and driving a healthier culture across the business.
Here are ten things to look for in a 360 degree survey tool. Be sure to look for an application that offers all of these features to make the most of your surveys:
- Customisation: The tool should be flexible enough to allow for total customisation of the survey questions, format, and presentation to meet the specific needs of the organisation. From survey invitation emails, to report debriefs, it needs to adhere to the culture of the organisation. Every business is different, has different people, and is driving towards a different culture. The survey software should recognise this.
- Confidentiality: It’s important that the software guarantees the confidentiality of the feedback provided, to break down power structures within the organisation and encourage honest and open feedback from the participants.
- Ease of Use: The tool should be user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes it easy for participants to provide feedback. It should be easy for the participants to use, and it should be equally easy for the team managing the survey to collect and subsequently distribute insights.
- Automated Reporting: A good 360 survey software will have the ability to generate reports automatically, with clear and concise graphs and charts to easily understand the results.
- Integration with Other Tools: Ideally the software should work seamlessly in parallel with other HR software and tools, such as performance management and talent management systems. If it is easy to implement insights from the 360 survey into your HR structure, it will be easier to utilise the insights and data that aligns and supports your organisation’s focus.
- Data Security: The tool should have robust security measures in place to protect the data collected, including encryption, backups, and access controls. Given that 360 degree software often handles highly sensitive data, the focus on security should be uncompromising.
- Mobile Accessibility: Most employees and managers prefer using mobile devices for interactions, so the 360 degree software should be responsive to mobile platforms. The more convenient it is to use, the better, deeper use your company will get from it.
- Multi-Language Support: Even in English-dominant nations, the multiculturalism of the modern organisation will mean that some employees will feel more comfortable using a different language when interacting with the 360 degree software.
- Feedback Management: A critical feature of good 360 degree software is that it should have a long-term component. It should provide the capabilities for managers to review and act on the feedback received, and track progress over time.
- Customer Support: Finally, a well-established 360 degree software will be backed by excellent user support. Users should be able to access reliable and responsive customer support, to ensure that any issues or questions can be resolved quickly. Strategic guidance on how to best use the software is another thing that many organisations will appreciate, especially when starting out on their 360 degree software journey.
Choosing the right 360 degree feedback application, which meets these criteria, will help organisations effectively gather and utilise feedback to drive employee performance and development.
For more information on the benefits of 360 degree survey software, contact the expert team at info@multiratersurveys.com today!