Compass360 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 360 Degree Feedback right for my organisation?

A: Used effectively it can address many of the typical concerns about training, development and performance management in organisations. Consider the comments below and identify the concerns that you, and your colleagues can recognise:

Q: Is the Compass 360 degree feedback system flexible and customisable?

A: Compass360 can accommodate any competency framework or use our generic model. If your in-house framework has three levels i.e. group headings, competencies and behaviours, then Compass360 can present data for all three levels.

The rating scale and rater categories can be selected to suit your requirements.

All the text in web pages, automated emails and the feedback report can be edited to reflect your 360 project details and customised with your company logo and livery.

Q: Is the Compass 360 site secure?

A: All Compass application websites are secured with SSL, Secure Sockets Layer, for creating an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browser remains private and integral.

Q: Is the 360 feedback process confidential?

A: The data displayed in feedback reports for all multiple rater categories e.g. direct reports, colleagues etc. is averaged and shown as one result. Generally only the Self and Manager ratings are obvious to the subject. There are safeguards built into the system to prevent reports being generated without two or more raters in the appropriate categories.

If you would prefer complete anonymity for raters then we can send out individual rater invitations on behalf of your subjects and disable their monitor page.

Q: Is the Compass 360 site user friendly?

A: We happen to think that our site is very user friendly (but would welcome your feedback). The site is designed to take you through the stages one at a time and keep you in control of your 360 feedback survey. Check out our demo on http://compass360.net/demo and see how easy it is.

Q: Can I see if my raters have completed their questionnaires?

A: You will have access to a monitor page displaying which of your raters have completed their questionnaires and who is still outstanding (so you can chase them up!).

Q: How long does it take to complete a questionnaire on-line?

A: It largely depends on your competency model and how many behaviour statements you have in the questionnaire. The norm is about 50 - 80 statements. Our generic competency model has 80 statements and we reckon it takes about 20 minutes to complete on-line. There is a save for later feature which enables you to leave a questionnaire part completed and come back to it later.

Q: Is the 360 degree feedback report easy to understand?

A: The feedback report is designed to be self-explanatory although we do recommend going through it with your manager, or someone from your HR team or an external coach. The report is designed to help you recognise your strengths as well as areas for development and to produce a development plan (see our sample feedback report).

Q: Can I compare my results with my colleagues or a previous report?

A: The Compass360 reports enable you to compare competencies and behaviours results with your previous report to check progress. It is also possible to set the system to show the average scores for the group currently undertaking a survey (feedback reports have to be generated at the same time at the end of a project for this feature).

Q: Is there an opportunity to include free text responses in the reports?

A: We can set the system to ask specific (editable) open questions after each competency and/or at the end of the questionnaire e.g. what would you like this person to stop, start, continue to do to improve their performance?

It is also possible to select optional development comments providing raters the opportunity to comment on either, every behaviour statement, or only statements raters have scored high (positive feedback), or only statements raters have scored low (development comments). There is a spell check and save for later facility in all these sections.

Q: As a senior manager can I check if my staff are selecting a wide range of raters from their colleagues...and not just their friends?

A: If you have some concerns about this issue there is an optional line manager approval feature enabling you to approve the raters your staff have chosen to give feedback.

Q: How long does the whole 360 degree feedback process take normally?

A: It only takes a few days to set up a bureau service or self-managed site and generally 2-3 weeks to complete a 360 project depending on the response from raters.

Q: Can our company outsource the whole process to you?

A: Using our bureau service we will set up your project, input your competency model (or our generic version), customise the site, edit all the web pages and emails, send out invitations to your subjects, monitor progress of the project including chasing up late questionnaire raters, keep you updated on progress, generate feedback reports and send them to whoever you specify.

Q: Is there an option for us to manage our own 360 degree feedback projects?

A: Using our self-managed site option we will set up a fully customised 360 site and provide system training and ongoing telephone and email support during normal working hours. The site can be managed by you to provide your own internal bureau service or linked to your intranet to enable your staff to register and take responsibility to manage their own individual 360 surveys when they need to.

Q: Are there any hidden costs?

A: All our fees are clearly stated. Our bureau service fees are priced on a per report basis based on the number in each project including all set-up and customisation costs. Our self-managed site fees include an initial one off set-up fee and then are based on the number of credits (feedback reports) purchased in advance and posted to your site.

Q: Is there someone we can call if we get a problem?

A: Our customer support service is there to answer any queries by phone or email during normal working hours.

Q: How long has Compass Performance Management been in business?

A: Compass Performance Management Ltd was established in 1999 and its mission purpose is to provide quality systems and services to help individuals, teams and organisations use feedback to develop and continuously improve performance.

Check out our case studies and full client list on the website.