Whilst graphs and charts provide useful information in 360 feedback reports, they rarely tell the full story. It is often the open-ended, qualitative comments that participants find most insightful.
Free-text questions allow raters to explain their scores, provide examples, and offer practical suggestions. When used thoughtfully, they reduce misinterpretation by adding valuable context to the numbers.
Free-text feedback transforms a 360 report from a collection of scores into a meaningful development tool. Well-designed qualitative questions:
Adding a free-text question after each section is a simple but powerful way to bring ratings to life. These comments help explain why the ratings were given and often suggest next steps or ideas for development.
Example prompts:
Placing one or two open-ended questions at the end of the survey creates an opportunity to:
Two common formats work particularly well:
This structured approach helps respondents reflect on observable behaviours and provide balanced, actionable feedback:
Tip: Asking for positive observations (“continue” or “more of”) first sets a constructive tone, makes respondents more comfortable, and often results in richer feedback.
Focusing on personal strengths and development areas can be equally effective:
To get the most from qualitative feedback, follow these simple principles:
For best practice on writing quantitative 360 feedback questions we recommend: How to write great 360 degree feedback questions: A complete guide
Q. What makes a good open-ended question in 360 Feedback?
A. A good open-ended question encourages balanced, specific, and actionable responses. The best prompts:
Q. How many free-text questions should you include in a 360 feedback survey?
A. Include enough free-text questions to add context but not so many that respondents feel fatigued:
This balanced approach provides richer qualitative insights without overwhelming respondents and helps maintain high-quality feedback.
