Using 360° Feedback Surveys to Identify Training and Development Needs


By John J. White


A 360° feedback survey is a tool used by an organisation to evaluate an employee’s performance and development needs. It is aimed at providing individuals and groups with information regarding their strengths and development or training needs. Feedback is gathered from an employee’s co-workers, managers, direct reports, customers and others using a questionnaire covering areas such as competencies, skills or abilities and job performance. The data gathered is then compiled into a report showing the employee’s strengths and weaknesses according to the people they work closest with.

Because the feedback is gathered from multiple sources, employees find the results of 360° feedback surveys more compelling than a traditional evaluation by a single supervisor or manager; and as the questionnaires are confidential, more honest and open feedback is generated. As a result the employee benefits from better self-awareness and the organisation benefits from clear focus as to individual and group development needs.

This focus will directly lead to a more cost effective use of development resources and improved performance. Indeed the same 360° questionnaire can be re-administered after 9 to 12 months to evaluate the effectiveness of training and development by measuring the individual’s improvement. 360° feedback can also dramatically contribute to and enhance an organisation’s performance management process

As a starting point for implementing a 360° feedback survey an organisation will identify the individuals to participate and decide on the competencies and job performance to be measured. The flexibility of the process allows an organisation to conduct assessments for any job, not just management, and within any function or level.

Traditionally many surveys have been administered by using paper questionnaires; however more and more a web-based system is being used to help ease of completion and reduce administration time and costs. A good 360° system will allow total flexibility for the organisation who may want to use a ‘standard’ questionnaire (useful for comparing employees with those from other organisations), elaborate on certain competencies or behaviours, create new ones or use their existing competency or measurement framework.

Often an organisation will use an external consultancy to help prepare, launch and administrate a 360° feedback survey. Employees will feel a greater degree of confidentiality when they know that questionnaires are being processed externally and will engage in the feedback gained in a much more positive manner.

The most important factor to remember about using 360° feedback surveys is that they are only a first step in a process of dialogue. Whilst the survey will collect valuable data, the essential part of the process comes later in sharing the feedback gained, making development plans and actually undertaking training and development activities.

John White is a Director of IntegrateHR Limited, a Human Resource Consultancy that focuses on helping client organisations measure and evaluate their executives, managers and employees. The firm also provides the online 360° feedback system “Integrate360”.


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