How Can I Create Comparable Surveys with the Honestly Engagement Survey™ or the Honestly Pulse Survey™?

Benchmarking with Honestly's Validated Surveys: Insights and Process Details. Background on the Human Factors Context.

Background – Why Scientifically Validated Questionnaires?

At Honestly, we rely on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, which has been tested and validated in over 25,000 studies worldwide. This model has been optimized for the DACH region in collaboration with FU Berlin and aligns with established employee research standards, such as those used by the Gallup Institute in its annual Engagement survey.

Meaningful Benchmarks

A key advantage of our surveys is the integrated benchmark data from the DACH region. These benchmarks are based on over 1,700 interviews across various industries and company sizes, allowing you to contextualize your results in a meaningful way.

With our scientifically validated questionnaires, you not only gain reliable insights into employee engagement within your organization but can also make direct comparisons with other companies.

For more details on the study and benchmark data, contact your responsible Customer Success Manager.

Action Steps (Circle Model)

The following section outlines the process steps for successfully conducting a survey based on the Honestly Engagement concept.

1. Planning of the (first) "Honestly Engagement Survey" with our Excel Survey Planner
   
   
   If you would like to receive the Excel Survey Planner, please contact your designated Customer Success Manager at Honestly.
   
   This planner outlines the various factors and KPIs for a successful survey. It can be used to plan both comprehensive validated Honestly Engagement Surveys™ and also the shorter the Honestly Pulse Surveys™ based on key performance indicators (KPIs).
   It includes the following key metrics:
   • Participation rate
   • Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS); more details can be found here
   • Engagement factors (based on the JD-R model); details can be found here
2. Conducting the (First) Scientifically Validated Survey
   
   Conducting your first survey based on the Honestly Engagement concept (or JD-R model) is very simple.
   • Go to Surveys and select Create New Survey.
     
   • Choose the Honestly Engagement Survey by clicking the corresponding button
     
   • Name your survey and set the anonymity threshold.
   • Click Create, and you will have generated a scientifically validated, comparable survey based on an internationally recognized model.
3. Scientifically Validated Analysis and Dashboards
   
   A dashboard can be created either automatically or manually. We recommend grouping sub-factors into broader factors for better clarity. Custom charts can also be added and labeled according to factors and sub-factors.
   
   The only open-ended text field can be analyzed using our topic feature and/or the
   
   
4. Planning and Implementing Initiatives
   
   Employee surveys alone achieve little—what matters are the actions derived from them. Vague approaches such as "improve communication" rarely lead to progress and can even cause frustration. Clear, targeted initiatives, however, increase perceived resources (e.g., better leadership, structured processes) and reduce stress factors (e.g., uncertainties, inefficient workflows).
   To put it another way: Unclear initiatives increase job demands by fostering uncertainty and lack of support, whereas clear initiatives create job resources that boost motivation and engagement. Only through targeted implementation can feedback lead to real change.
   We recommend using the following handbook, which provides an initial list of action recommendations and inspiration.
   
   
   
   NOTE: The handbook is typically sent to our customers during onboarding. If you have not received it, please contact your Customer Success Manager.
5. Planning New Surveys
   
   After conducting the first survey, it is essential to integrate the insights gained into future surveys. New benchmarks help identify trends and measure progress. Use our Excel Survey Planner again to structure regular surveys and track key KPIs such as participation rate, eNPS, or the mentioned engagement factors. This ensures that every survey provides real value and enables data-driven strategic decisions.
6. Conducting New Surveys as Part of Initiatives (List of Action Recommendations and Templates)

Regular surveys are essential for monitoring the success of initiatives and ensuring continuous improvement. Always use the Honestly Engagement Questionnaire to obtain scientifically validated and internationally comparable results. Additionally, our list of action recommendations and templates helps you derive concrete initiatives. A transparent communication process and well-defined actions strengthen job resources and reduce stress factors—the key to sustainable engagement within the organization.

Alternatively, for follow-up surveys, you can also use the (shorter) Honestly Pulse Survey™:

This survey can also be found in our product.

Additionally, we offer predefined survey lists for specific topics.