THE PURPOSE OF SURVEY FEEDBACK: In globally competitive environments, organizations are seeking information about obstacles to productivity and satisfaction in workplace. Survey feedback is a tool that can provide this type of honest feedback to help leaders guide and direct their teams. Obstacles and gaps between current status quo and desired situations may or may not be directly apparent. In either case, it is vital to have a clear understanding of strategies for diagnosis and prevention of important organization problems. If all leaders and members alike are clear about organizational development and change, strengths, weakness, strategies can be designed and implemented to support positive change. Survey feedback provides a participative approach and enables all members to become actively engaged in managing work environment.
SURVEY PROCESS STEPS: - Identify project plan and objectives
- Brief team leaders and employees about process
- Administer survey
- Conduct interviews and focus groups
- Train leaders on facilitating team discussions
- Analyze data and construct a report
- Provide feedback to leaders
- Team leaders conduct feedback action planning and meetings
- Leaders present reports on progress and results to Senior Management
- Follow-up by senior leadership to ensure progress and accountability
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TEAM LEADER: Once data has been collected and observations have been clarified, it becomes leader’s responsibility to familiarize team with findings. Next leader involves team in outlining appropriate solutions and strategies that members can “buy into” and support over long-haul. When leaders can facilitate collaborative teaming and become an organizational development and change agent, people in team will contribute creative ideas to enhance their work environment.
It is important for leaders to not underestimate time and facilitation skills needed to pass on information and foster an action-oriented environment. The initial meetings and communication sessions are just start of a development process, not a single event. If survey feedback is to be effective, it must be implemented into a comprehensive strategy that includes goals, responsibilities, time frames, revisions, and reviews.