Using Surveys Successfully: Best Practices in Survey Design

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Using Surveys Successfully: Best Practices in Survey Design

Presenters: Rob Synovec

Surveys can be a valuable tool for collecting information, and stakeholders often use survey data to guide decision-making and strategic direction. When executed effectively, surveys can offer unique insights into the “voice of the people” and tell a compelling story about the organization. When executed poorly, however, surveys can yield misleading information that could steer stakeholders in the wrong direction. 

In this interactive session you will learn…

• best practices for surveying organizations
  
• how to design and administer effective surveys that yield useful information
  
• how to present survey data in ways that ignite interest and inspire action
  

The way survey questions are phrased can influence how people respond. One of the biggest challenges in survey design is writing clear questions that gather quality information. OD practitioners can create good surveys by following a few key guidelines. Rob Synovec, Engagement and Retention Manager at BJC HealthCare, will use activities, table discussion, and storytelling to facilitate learning on effective survey design.

About the Facilitator

Rob Synovec works for the BJC Institute for Learning and Development, where he supports employee engagement and retention initiatives, new employee onboarding, performance management, and leadership development. Prior to joining BJC, Rob worked for IBM Talent Management Solutions, where he supported organizational survey, assessment, and analytics projects for Fortune 500 companies across several industries including healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and financial services.

Rob earned his M.A. degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. His research focuses on narcissism, nonverbal behavior, and social judgments. Rob also teaches at the UMSL College of Business.

Rob has presented at conferences for the Society of Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the Midwestern Psychological Association. He has also co-authored work featured in the journal I-O Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice. Rob is a member of the St. Louis Organization Development Network, and serves as Treasurer on the executive board of Gateway I-O Psychologists.