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How to Write Great 360 Degree Feedback Questions: A Complete Guide

Getting 360 degree feedback right starts with asking the right questions.

Well written 360 questions help align people onto what’s important, ensure reliability, and provide participants with clear, actionable insights.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Whether you’re building a new questionnaire or reviewing existing ones, this guide will help you write questions that work.


Why Good 360 Feedback Questions Matter

For 360 feedback to be meaningful and actionable, the questions must produce data that is both reliable and valid.

Poorly written questions often fail on one or both of these fronts. They may:


Seven Principles for Writing High-Quality 360 Feedback Questions

The best 360 survey questions reduce reliability errors and improve clarity by applying the following principles:

1. Ask About Observable Behaviours Only

You shouldn’t ask questions about someone’s understanding, feelings, beliefs, abilities, or internal thought processes, as these are not easily displayed or observed…. If it can’t be seen, it can’t be rated.

Avoid questions like:

  • Understands own strengths and weaknesses
  • Reflects on own performance
  • Is able to resolve conflict appropriately
  • Learns from mistakes or failures
  • Strives to improve own performance
Ask About Observable Behaviours Only


2. Describe One Behaviour at a Time

Avoid double or triple-barrelled questions. They make it hard for respondents to rate accurately, particularly if the participant is strong in one aspect but weaker in another.

Don’t include questions like:

  • Invites feedback and uses it to improve
  • Effectively chairs meetings and follows up on actions
  • Sets stretching goals for self and others
  • Builds and maintains excellent relationships with internal and external customers
Describe One Behaviour at a Time


3. Keep Questions Short and to the Point

Questions should be easy to read and understand. Too many words can confuse meaning, so aim to keep them short, sharp, and clear.

Ideally with 6 – 8 words (a maximum of 10).

Keep Questions Short and to the Point


4. Use Simple, Plain Language

Make sure your questions are clear and mean exactly what you intend.

Avoid abbreviations, acronyms, jargon, management or corporate speak, and technical terminology, unless you can be sure everyone will interpret them the same way. Simple, straightforward language is always best.

Use Simple, Plain Language


5. Frame Each Question as a Positive Behaviour

Avoid mixing positive and negative statements within the same questionnaire. Mixing them can confuse interpretation and lead to inconsistent results.

Frame Each Question as a Positive Behaviour


6. Make Each Question Stand on It's Own

Don’t write questions that rely on neighbouring questions for context or additional meaning.

Make Each Question Stand on Its Own


7. Match Questions to the Rating Scale

Make sure the question works with the scale being used.

Examples of conflicts:

Match Questions to the Rating Scale


Other Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Beyond the seven principles, a few other traps often reduce question reliability:

Overly Subjective Questions:

Questions That Are Too Specific:

Behaviours Raters Rarely See:


Quick Checklist for Reviewing Your 360 Questions

Before finalising your questionnaire, make sure each question:


Frequently Asked Questions About Writing 360 Feedback Questions

Q. How do I write 360 degree feedback questions that actually work?

A. Focus on observable behaviours only - if it can’t be seen, it can’t be rated! Keep each question short, simple, and positive, describe one behaviour at a time, and make sure it stands alone. Following these principles improves reliability and validity, giving participants clearer, more actionable insights.


Q. What are the most common mistakes when writing 360 degree feedback questions?

A. Common mistakes include asking about internal thoughts/ understanding, combining multiple behaviours in one question, using vague or subjective language, and including behaviours raters rarely observe. Avoiding jargon and matching each question to the rating scale helps make your questionnaire clearer, more consistent, and easier to answer.



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