8 Reasons Why You Should Outsource Your 360-Degree Feedback Process


Debating whether to conduct your survey in-house, or to outsource the survey process? The following may help with your decision.

In the late 1990s, DecisionWise was among the first to offer a survey software package that organizations could purchase and administer in-house. A number of other survey providers followed suit.

Survey packages carried many promises. Lower costs and greater flexibility were among these. However, many of our clients found that administering surveys in-house resulted in an administrative headache, a significant reduction in participation, and overall decreased effectiveness. There was simply a poor return on investment.

We listened to what our clients were telling us. They needed a process that created results; one where they could turn feedback into business results. Although the technology itself played a key role in this, it was only a means to an end. Understanding our customers’ needs, we discontinued selling survey software in 2003, and focused on developing processes by which clients could focus their efforts on the feedback itself, rather than spending their time on the administration of the survey. Our process now allows our clients to outsource the entire survey administration process, and takes advantage of our advanced technology to deliver survey solutions.

The response has been tremendous. In fact, a large number of our clients today are those who have purchased a software application elsewhere during the past few years, but found that they made an investment that generated sparse returns. Our clients let us worry about the administration through our advanced technology, while they focus on helping individuals and the organization achieve results.
  • Professional psychometric survey design: Our validated question database has been carefully reviewed for validity, reliability, and real-world practicality. While we typically start with some of these base questions, each survey is specifically customized to the needs of your organization by an expert in survey design.
  • Benchmarking Capabilities: Our extensive database allows you to compare your results by such factors such as industry, position, level, geography, etc. We can also help you compare results within your organization, as well as trend data across multiple administrations.
  • More control: One of the reasons some companies consider administering a survey in-house is that they feel they have more control over the survey. The reality is that in-house administration results in less control! Because of the complexity of advanced survey software, understanding features and uses of the features can be complex. We know what will provide you with the greatest results, and know how to get it. For those that want greater visibility into the reporting and administration, we provide a portal through which our clients can access this information as well.
  • Advanced technology: Outsourcing the survey process ensures that the technology used is the latest available, rather than worrying about costly upgrades, technical difficulties, and installing survey software. Anyone with internet access can complete a survey online.
  • Project Management: The survey process itself can be an administrative headache when conducted internally. Tracking participants, follow-up with raters, organizing reports, and even responding to associated emails and phone calls all take time. DecisionWise Project Managers alleviate this burden and associated labor costs.
  • Lower overall costs: Outsourcing the survey project means no up-front technology investment, greatly reduced internal administration costs, and significantly improved survey process efficiency.
  • Increased validity: In the minds of employees, in-house surveys come with a huge question: “Is this really anonymous?” Outsourcing this process increases confidentiality. Comparing internal survey response rates to results when DecisionWise conducts the survey, we have found that response rates can increase as much as 40%. In fact, in some organizations the response rate has doubled! This, along with the survey design, greatly increases the validity of responses.
  • Feedback becomes action: Our assessment consulting team will help you ensure that your process produces results, not just data. This starts with survey design, continues through the administration, and extends into the action planning phase. With over a decade of survey action planning experience, we can help you understand what works and what doesn’t work.