A 360-degree survey is a performance evaluation method where an employee receives feedback from a variety of sources, including their manager, coworkers, direct reports, and sometimes clients or vendors. This typically occurs through an online questionnaire sent to a group involving the employee's supervisor, peers, and other relevant parties. The survey includes a range of questions that assess the employee's skills, behaviors, and competencies, with responses often provided anonymously.
A 360-degree survey gathers feedback from multiple sources, offering insights that a traditional performance review (link to future article)—typically conducted by a single manager—cannot provide. This method ensures a more well-rounded evaluation, giving a comprehensive view of an employee’s strengths and areas for growth.
By receiving input from various perspectives, employees gain a clearer understanding of how their contributions are perceived across different levels of the organization. This awareness helps them recognize their impact on overall operations, making it easier to leverage their strengths and address weaknesses. The insights collected can also serve as valuable qualitative data to support HR strategies and workforce planning.
Additionally, the 360-degree approach can enhance teamwork by fostering
personal development through peer feedback. Understanding how their actions affect colleagues enables employees to refine their collaboration skills, ultimately leading to stronger team dynamics. When team members hold each other accountable, overall team performance improves.
