With +20 years of experience, working with over 200 companies to design, set up and deliver lots of different 360s, we’ve compiled a list of the 360 Degree Feedback Top Ten FAQs – and the answers!
Many organisations would like to get started with 360 Degree Feedback, but are not sure where to start. The 360 Degree Feedback Top Ten FAQs include questions about content, process and reports. So here they are, together with the answers!
FAQ 1) What questions should we ask in our 360 Degree Feedback?
If you are using the 360 to support the development of a particular skillset across your organisation, the 360 questions should be based on the skills you want to develop. For example, if 360 is supporting performance reviews and discussions, the questions should focus on the most important areas of performance improvement.
FAQ 2) Where do we start with a 360?
Depending on what you are measuring, you can use the following as the basis for your 360: the objectives of a training or development programme, a leadership or management competency framework. In addition, you can consider job or role descriptions, the organisations key values or unique competitive skill sets.
FAQ 3) How many questions in the 360?
We recommend around 30-40 questions in total. This is because longer questionnaires are difficult to engage with. Also, the quality of the feedback can be affected.
FAQ 4) Ratings or text questions?
A mix of rating questions and free text questions provides a robust and effective 360 Degree Feedback.
FAQ 5) Should we use 360 for performance?
Many organisations are now turning to 360 Degree Feedback to support a dynamic and flexible approach to performance discussions. This means they are able to link feedback, performance and goals.
FAQ 6) Should 360 Degree Feedback be anonymous?
Best practice is that the feedback ratings and text from colleagues are not attributable to individuals, apart from those of the line manager. This is in order to protect the anonymity of peers and direct reports.
FAQ 7) Who should choose the raters for each ratee?
There are three main options:
- Ratees decide whom they are going to ask for feedback.
- Raters are pre-chosen (by line managers, HR or L&D)
- A mix of the above
FAQ 8) What should be included in the 360 Degree Feedback report?
Clarity and simplicity are essential elements of a good 360 feedback report. For this reason, the report should highlight the key messages coming from the ratings given, and provide more detailed information if required.
FAQ 9) When should the ratee see their report?
Where 360 is a new process, or people are not used to working with feedback, we recommend that they are coached or debriefed through the feedback report. This should be as soon as possible after they get their report. The reason for this is so that they do not have time to overthink any negative messages.
FAQ 10) Should the ratee show their feedback to anyone else?
The best added-value comes from the ratee sharing and discussing their 360 feedback with their line manager. As a result, managers can help their teams to put the feedback into practice.
We hope this short overview of 360 Degree Feedback Top Ten FAQs was interesting and helpful.
More information
For more information on 360 feedback, please contact us.
Track 360
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More articles on this topic
If you’d like more detail on some of the topics covered in this article, explore our other articles below:
Designing 360 Degree Feedback: The Complete Guide
Should Feedback include Self-Assessment by the ratee?
Anonymous text 360 feedback: how does it work?
