Decide how to analyze data before you gather it. Whenever creating surveys, decide how to analyze, chart and graph the data before employees complete them. This approach avoids bias when there is no set procedure for analysis, and reduces last-minute panic when the data comes flooding in. After developing the survey and are uncertain about analysis, give your preliminary survey to a sample of people who are similar to your employees. Use this sample to fine-tune your questions, decide how to analyze the data, and change the questions to make your analysis easier.
Many organizations survey their employees, usually once a year.
But because the organization surveys only once, management can't distinguish between flukes and trends. Only surveying multiple times a year, using a sample of employees, can an organization distinguish between special, one-time events and ongoing concerns. When deciding a sampling plan, decide how to break out the data before distributing the survey. These comparisons can help pinpoint employee groups concerned about an issue. Involve influential employees in the survey effort.