> 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/your-managed-survey/getting-started.md).
# Your Managed Survey
We run your employee survey with you as a 7-step program, from the first planning conversation to the actions your leaders take on the results. Below, you'll see what each step is for, what you'll have at the end of it, and how long it usually takes.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Building your own surveys too?** Step-by-step Compass help is in Using Compass. A good place to start is [Create and Launch Your First Pulse Survey](/knowledge-base/get-started/getting-started-create-and-launch-your-first-pulse-survey.md).
{% endhint %}
***
## The 7 steps
The steps run in order, though Steps 2 and 3 usually overlap. Steps 6 and 7 keep going for as long as your leaders are acting on the results. These are typical timelines for an engagement survey. Yours will depend on your organization's size, how available your stakeholders are, and how many rounds of questionnaire edits you need. [Timelines and Deliverables](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/timelines-and-deliverables.md) has the full planning table.
### Step 1: Prepare for Action
* **Purpose**: agree on what the survey is for, who owns it, and who does what before anything is built.
* **You'll finish with**: a completed Strategic Alignment session, a kickoff call, and a named survey team on your side.
* **Typical timing**: as quick as a few days after contract, depending on stakeholder availability.
* **Start here**: [Executive Driven Survey Overview](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/executive-driven-survey-overview.md), then the [Prepare for Action FAQ](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/prepare-for-action-faq.md).
### Step 2: Develop Questionnaire
* **Purpose**: decide what you'll ask, on what scale, and to whom, then sign it off.
* **You'll finish with**: a signed-off questionnaire with demographics and any custom items.
* **Typical timing**: 1 to 4 weeks, sometimes up to 6.
* **Start here**: [Questionnaire Design](/knowledge-base/plan-your-survey/questionnaire-design.md), then the [Questionnaire FAQ](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-2-develop-questionnaire/questionnaire-faq.md).
### Step 3: Pre-Survey Communication and Setup
* **Purpose**: get participants ready to hear about the survey, and get Compass ready to send it.
* **You'll finish with**: an approved participant information file, whitelisted TalentMap email addresses, and a communications plan.
* **Typical timing**: 1 to 6 weeks, often alongside Step 2.
* **Start here**: [Participant Information File](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-3-pre-survey-communication-and-setup/participant-information-file.md), [Survey Communications](/knowledge-base/plan-your-survey/survey-communications.md), then the [Pre-Survey FAQ](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-3-pre-survey-communication-and-setup/pre-survey-faq.md).
### Step 4: Deploy Employee Survey
* **Purpose**: launch the survey, watch response rates, and answer participant questions while it's open.
* **You'll finish with**: a closed survey with the response rate you set out to reach.
* **Typical timing**: usually 2 weeks, rarely more than 3.
* **Start here**: [Monitor Response Rates](/knowledge-base/build-and-send-surveys/monitor-response-rates.md), then the [Survey Live FAQ](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-4-deploy-employee-survey/survey-live-faq.md).
### Step 5: Analyze, Interpret and Report
* **Purpose**: turn responses into scores, comparisons, and comments your leaders can read.
* **You'll finish with**: Compass reports for your team, plus the presentations we prepare for you.
* **Typical timing**: 1 to 2 months for analysis and staged reporting.
* **Start here**: [Step 5: Analyze, Interpret and Report](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report/step-5-analyze-interpret-and-report.md).
### Step 6: Discuss, Clarify and Plan
* **Purpose**: review results with HR and leaders, test assumptions, and choose what to act on.
* **You'll finish with**: an agreed set of priorities and a decision on where action planning happens.
* **Typical timing**: it varies, depending on how many leadership groups review the results.
* **Start here**: [TalentMap Survey Results Presentations](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-6-discuss-clarify-and-plan/talentmap-survey-results-presentations.md), then [Post-Survey Consulting Services](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-6-discuss-clarify-and-plan/post-survey-consulting-services.md).
### Step 7: Communicate and Take Action
* **Purpose**: tell employees what you heard and what's changing, then follow through.
* **You'll finish with**: results shared with the organization and action plans under way.
* **Typical timing**: ongoing. Many clients share results in month 3 of the program and keep acting on them through the year.
* **Start here**: [Step 7: Communicate and Take Action](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-7-communicate-and-take-action/step-7-communicate-and-take-action.md).
***
## If you're the survey lead
You own the survey at your organization, and we work through the 7 steps together. Here's what we'll need from you along the way.
1. Log in to the TalentMap Portal and check your tasks. [Timelines and Deliverables](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/timelines-and-deliverables.md) shows what's due when.
2. Book your questionnaire design call at least 3 weeks before launch. See [When should we schedule the questionnaire design call?](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/prepare-for-action-faq/when-should-we-schedule-the-questionnaire-design-call.md).
3. Prepare your participant file and get TalentMap's email addresses whitelisted. See [Participant Information File](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-3-pre-survey-communication-and-setup/participant-information-file.md) and [Email Whitelisting](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-3-pre-survey-communication-and-setup/email-whitelisting.md).
4. Plan your survey messages with the templates in [Survey Communications](/knowledge-base/plan-your-survey/survey-communications.md).
5. While the survey is open, keep an eye on [Monitor Response Rates](/knowledge-base/build-and-send-surveys/monitor-response-rates.md) and the [Survey Live FAQ](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-4-deploy-employee-survey/survey-live-faq.md).
6. Once it closes, start with [Compass Reports](/knowledge-base/reports/compass-reports.md), then [Action Planning in Compass](/knowledge-base/managers-and-leaders/take-action/action-planning-in-compass.md).
***
## Where to find more help
* **Using Compass**: step-by-step help for building and launching surveys yourself, and for reading your reports. Start with [Create and Launch Your First Pulse Survey](/knowledge-base/get-started/getting-started-create-and-launch-your-first-pulse-survey.md).
* **Managers & Leaders**: share this one with your managers. It helps them read their results, talk with their teams, and build action plans, and it's where 360 help lives. See [Managers & Leaders](/knowledge-base/managers-and-leaders/start-here/managers-and-leaders.md).
* **Product Updates**: what's new in Compass. See [Product Updates](/knowledge-base/help-and-updates/product-updates.md).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Can't find what you need?** Chat with us using the chat icon in Compass, or email . If you have a TalentMap Project Manager, they're your first call for anything about your program.
{% endhint %}
***
## Related Articles
* [Welcome to the TalentMap Knowledge Base](/knowledge-base/get-started/start-here-find-your-path.md)
* [Timelines and Deliverables](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/timelines-and-deliverables.md)
* [Schedule a Meeting with your Consultant or Project Manager](/knowledge-base/your-managed-survey/step-1-prepare-for-action/schedule-a-meeting-with-your-consultant-or-project-manager.md)
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