Plan and run a 360 assessment
Design a useful 360 feedback questionnaire
Ask about behaviors people can observe and the subject can change. Keep the questionnaire relevant to the role and practical to complete.
Choose content that fits the purpose and role
Start with the competencies that matter for the assessment’s purpose. Describe what those competencies look like in everyday work, at the level expected of the subjects.
A suitable existing questionnaire can be a useful starting point. Panoramic Feedback has questionnaire content developed for specific industries that you can use and refine. Review its fit with your roles, terminology, and goals before launch.
If you need comparisons across a cohort or over time, plan for compatible questions and rating scales. Check the requirements for the reports you intend to produce before creating different versions.
Ask about one observable behavior at a time
Use short statements that a colleague can rate from experience. Avoid vague qualities, specialist jargon, and questions that combine several behaviors.
Use consistent wording and direction. Avoid confusing negative statements or asking evaluators to infer someone’s motives.
Define the scale and invite useful comments
Explain what the scale measures, such as frequency or effectiveness, and define its response options. Check how people should respond when they have not observed a behavior; do not encourage them to guess.
Written questions should help subjects understand a pattern or choose an action. For example: “What should this person keep doing?” or “What could this person do differently to make their work with you more effective?”
Ask for concrete, respectful examples. Remind evaluators that identifying details in comments can reveal who wrote them.
Check the workload with real users
Include only questions that serve the purpose. There is no single question count that suits every project; test the actual completion time and consider how many colleagues each evaluator will assess.
Ask a small group to flag unclear wording, repeated ideas, missing behaviors, or difficult scale choices. Review language versions with someone who understands both the language and the work being assessed.
A practical trial helps improve usability. Use appropriate assessment expertise when evaluating the questionnaire’s suitability for its intended use.
Before you move on
- Each question addresses a relevant, observable behavior.
- The scale and instructions are clear.
- Length, language, and report compatibility have been checked.
Useful resources
Need help with the platform?
Panoramic Feedback provides the software, platform training, and optional project administration. Your consultant or internal team leads interpretation, coaching, and development planning.
