> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design.md).

# Questionnaire Design

Step 2 is where you decide what to ask, on what scale, and to whom, then sign the questionnaire off before anything is programmed. Your TalentMap consultant leads the design conversation; this section gives you the reasoning behind the standard questionnaire so you can make good decisions quickly.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Building the survey yourself?** This section covers questionnaire strategy for a TalentMap-run program. For the hands-on steps of adding questions, pages, and logic in Compass, see the [Survey Designer - Complete Guide](/knowledge-base/survey-design-and-deployment/creating-surveys-quick-start/survey-designer-complete-guide.md).
{% endhint %}

***

## What you do in this step

1. **Start from the standard questionnaire.** Read the [TalentMap Employee Engagement Questionnaire](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/talentmap-employee-engagement-questionnaire.md) to see every dimension, the statements in each, and which dimensions are optional.
2. **Confirm the scale.** TalentMap recommends a 5-point agreement scale with the negative response first. See [5-Point Rating Scale](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/5-point-rating-scale.md) and [Response Scale From Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/response-scale-from-strongly-disagree-to-strongly-agree.md).
3. **Decide on custom content.** Add your own themes, strategic questions, or an eNPS item. See the [Questionnaire FAQ](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-faq.md) for what can change and what should stay for benchmarking, and [Employee Net Promoter Score](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/employee-net-promoter-score.md) if you want that measure.
4. **Choose demographics.** Decide which groups you need to report on and where demographic questions sit. See [Where should we place demographic questions?](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-faq/where-should-we-place-demographic-questions.md).
5. **Check length and accessibility.** Keep the survey under 30 minutes and make sure participants using assistive technology can complete it. See [Length of an Employee Engagement Questionnaire](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/length-of-an-employee-engagement-questionnaire.md) and [Survey Accessibility and Assistive Technology](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/survey-accessibility-and-assistive-technology.md).
6. **Review and sign off.** Schedule the questionnaire design call at least 3 weeks before launch, review the test link, then sign off in the TalentMap Portal. See [When should we schedule the questionnaire design call?](/knowledge-base/step-1-prepare-for-action/prepare-for-action-faq/when-should-we-schedule-the-questionnaire-design-call.md) and [How do I sign off on a survey?](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-faq/how-do-i-sign-off-on-a-survey.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Importance comes from the data, not from asking.** You do not need to ask participants how important each topic is. Key driver analysis finds that after the survey. See [Determining Areas of Importance](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/determining-areas-of-importance.md).
{% endhint %}

***

## Articles in this section

* [**TalentMap Employee Engagement Questionnaire**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/talentmap-employee-engagement-questionnaire.md): every dimension and statement in the standard questionnaire.
* [**Survey Accessibility and Assistive Technology**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/survey-accessibility-and-assistive-technology.md): how the survey works with screen readers and keyboard navigation.
* [**5-Point Rating Scale**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/5-point-rating-scale.md): why TalentMap uses a 5-point scale.
* [**Response Scale From Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/response-scale-from-strongly-disagree-to-strongly-agree.md): why the negative response comes first.
* [**Length of an Employee Engagement Questionnaire**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/length-of-an-employee-engagement-questionnaire.md): the planning rules for survey length.
* [**Determining Areas of Importance**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/determining-areas-of-importance.md): how key drivers replace importance questions.
* [**Employee Net Promoter Score**](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-design/employee-net-promoter-score.md): the eNPS question and how it is scored.

***

## Related Articles

* [Questionnaire FAQ](/knowledge-base/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-faq.md)
* [Getting Started](/knowledge-base/getting-started.md)
* [Survey Designer - Complete Guide](/knowledge-base/survey-design-and-deployment/creating-surveys-quick-start/survey-designer-complete-guide.md)


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