Pulse Surveys: What are they and why are they becoming so popular?

Author: Rian Schmidt

12/5/2024

What is a Pulse Survey and how is it different than a regular survey?

Pulse surveys are a modern tool for gauging employee sentiment and engagement within organizations. They are short, frequent surveys designed to provide near-real-time insights into the workforce's thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Unlike traditional annual surveys, pulse surveys are conducted more regularly—sometimes even weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly—to capture an ongoing snapshot of how employees are doing. The name comes from their ability to quickly take the "pulse" of an organization, much like how a doctor might simply measure a patient's heartbeat regularly to monitor health.

The Origins of Pulse Surveys

The concept of pulse surveys emerged from the evolution of employee engagement practices over the past few decades. Traditional employee engagement surveys, often conducted annually, were found lacking due to their inability to address trends and real-time concerns. With changes in workplace culture, technology, and expectations for responsive leadership, organizations began adopting more agile feedback mechanisms. With the rise of remote work and the need to maintain connection with distributed teams, pulse surveys evolved as a solution, leveraging advances in digital communication and analytics to provide timely, actionable data. The emergence of AI has further enabled organizations to utilize pulse surveys easily without adding additional burden to the HR department or the employee.

What Makes a Good Pulse Survey?

A good pulse survey should be short and focused. Ideally, it contains just a few well-crafted questions that can be answered in a matter of just a few minutes. The questions should be direct, clear, and designed to gather insights into specific areas, such as team dynamics, workload, well-being, or satisfaction with some notable recent change. Consistency is also key—asking similar questions over time can help track trends and highlight any shifts in sentiment. 

For example, questions like "How well do you feel like you understand your goals right now?", "How would you rate your current workload?" are useful because they are straightforward, actionable, and allow for meaningful tracking over time. Other questions like "How clear was this quarter's all-hands information?" can give a quick read on the effectiveness of different approaches to presentation, for instance.

Evidence of Effectiveness

The evidence supporting the effectiveness of pulse surveys is promising. A study published by Deloitte in 2017 emphasized the importance of continuous listening in building a more engaged workforce. The research suggested that organizations using frequent employee surveys were better positioned to identify emerging issues, adapt quickly, and improve employee morale.

New pulse survey tools are flooding the market, replacing traditional annual engagement surveys.

Additionally, a 2019 survey by Gallup found that frequent employee feedback is directly correlated with higher engagement levels and productivity. The key to effectiveness lies in taking action based on the feedback—employees need to feel that their voices are being heard and that changes are being implemented as a result of their input.

Building Trust Through Pulse Surveys

A good pulse survey is not just about gathering data but also about building trust. Employees are more likely to provide honest feedback if they believe their responses will lead to tangible improvements. Therefore, a successful pulse survey strategy includes transparent communication about the findings and, more importantly, the actions taken as a result. For instance, if a survey reveals that employees are struggling with workloads, leaders should address this openly and work on redistributing tasks or providing additional resources.

Conclusion

Pulse surveys are a valuable tool for modern organizations looking to stay connected with their employees' experiences and feelings. By conducting short, frequent surveys, companies can gather actionable insights, identify issues early, and foster an environment of trust and responsiveness. When designed thoughtfully and used consistently, pulse surveys can contribute significantly to an organization's overall health and productivity.

Humanaiz Pulse leverages the power of AI and modern SaaS technologies to provide the easiest way to create pulse survey templates, launch surveys, and track employee results over time. Then, it's up to you, the employer, to take action and show your employees you're listening to build a more engaged, productive, and happier workforce.