How to Use Feedback as An Hris Manager to Improve: 7 Best Practices
Feedback is the cornerstone of improvement in any field, and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) management is no exception. This article delves into best practices for HRIS managers to effectively utilize feedback, drawing on insights from industry experts. From embracing multiple feedback channels to organizing focus groups, these strategies will help HRIS managers enhance their systems and drive organizational success.
- Embrace Multiple Feedback Channels for Improvement
- Tailor Training to Address User Concerns
- Implement Regular User Experience Surveys
- Foster Cross-Departmental Collaboration for Insights
- Analyze Data to Guide HRIS Enhancements
- Create Dedicated Portal for Continuous Feedback
- Organize Focus Groups for In-Depth Insights
Embrace Multiple Feedback Channels for Improvement
My advice to employers who want to more actively utilize employee feedback for continuous improvement is to give employees multiple ways to provide feedback. For example, we use a three-pronged approach:
1. Yearly employee pulse surveys that aim to collect feedback from the entire team
2. Periodic one-on-ones between managers and their reports, where managers provide feedback to the employees and also ask if they have any feedback or suggestions for the manager or the company as a whole
3. An open feedback system where employees can share ideas, suggestions, issues, or other thoughts with leadership. This system also has the option to make this feedback anonymous
By giving employees multiple ways to provide their input, you're more likely to get a wider array of honest feedback from team members. Some people will feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with their manager, for instance, while others will prefer anonymous reporting, especially if they are criticizing the actions of a superior.
One area where I've found employee feedback can be particularly helpful is in refining the use of new systems or programs that you've recently implemented. For instance, we recently switched to an ATS with more AI-driven sourcing and screening capabilities. The implementation seemed to have gone smoothly from the leadership perspective, but we didn't realize that the training data we'd used had introduced some biases into the process. Luckily, a few of our recruiters noticed this when they began to use the new system and shared their concerns with the leadership team. This allowed us to quickly make adjustments to eliminate that introduced bias before it impacted our work for clients. If we didn't have an open and easy feedback system for employees, we likely would have taken much longer to realize there even was a problem, much less to fix it.
Tailor Training to Address User Concerns
During my tenure as an HRIS manager, I once spearheaded the rollout of a new software system intended to streamline our HR processes. After implementation, I received feedback from the team indicating that some felt overwhelmed by the complexity of features and were unclear about how to integrate these into their daily routines. Responding to this, I organized a series of training sessions tailored to different department needs, simplifying the approach and focusing on practical applications rather than just capabilities.
Feedback, in my view, is crucial for professional growth and departmental success. I approach it with openness and use it as a tool to refine strategies and outputs. Each piece of feedback is an opportunity to look at projects and processes from a new perspective and improve them accordingly. Ultimately, embracing feedback not only enhances our systems but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Implement Regular User Experience Surveys
Implementing regular HRIS user experience surveys is a powerful way to gather feedback. These surveys can be distributed to employees at set intervals throughout the year. The data collected can provide valuable insights into how well the HRIS is meeting user needs.
By analyzing the survey results, HRIS managers can identify areas for improvement and prioritize system updates. This approach ensures that changes are based on actual user experiences rather than assumptions. Take the first step today by creating a simple user survey to understand your HRIS effectiveness.
Foster Cross-Departmental Collaboration for Insights
Establishing cross-departmental feedback channels opens up new avenues for system improvements. By creating a platform where different departments can share their unique perspectives, HRIS managers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of system needs. This approach encourages collaboration and ensures that the HRIS evolves to meet the diverse requirements of the entire organization.
Regular meetings or digital forums can facilitate this exchange of ideas. Implementing cross-departmental feedback can lead to more inclusive and effective HRIS solutions. Start by organizing a cross-departmental meeting to discuss HRIS experiences and gather diverse insights.
Analyze Data to Guide HRIS Enhancements
Conducting data-driven analysis of system usage patterns can reveal valuable insights for HRIS improvement. By examining how employees interact with the system, managers can identify bottlenecks, underutilized features, and areas of high engagement. This analysis can guide decisions on where to focus improvement efforts for maximum impact.
Data-driven insights can also help in predicting future needs and trends in HRIS usage. Using this approach ensures that improvements are based on objective evidence rather than subjective opinions. Begin your data-driven journey by setting up analytics tools to track HRIS usage patterns.
Create Dedicated Portal for Continuous Feedback
Creating a dedicated HRIS feedback portal provides a centralized platform for continuous improvement. This portal can serve as a hub where employees can submit suggestions, report issues, and share their experiences with the HRIS. By making the feedback process easily accessible, HRIS managers can encourage more frequent and detailed input from users.
The portal can also be used to keep employees informed about upcoming changes and improvements based on their feedback. This transparent approach can increase user engagement and satisfaction with the HRIS. Launch your dedicated feedback portal today to start gathering real-time insights from your HRIS users.
Organize Focus Groups for In-Depth Insights
Organizing employee focus groups for HRIS enhancements can provide deep, qualitative insights into user experiences. These groups allow HRIS managers to engage directly with users, asking follow-up questions and exploring issues in detail. Focus groups can uncover nuanced feedback that might be missed in surveys or usage data analysis.
They also give employees a sense of involvement in the improvement process, which can increase buy-in for future changes. The discussions in these groups can spark innovative ideas for HRIS enhancements. Plan your first employee focus group session to gain valuable, in-depth feedback on your HRIS.