Reporting Rules and Minimum Sample Sizes
Reporting rules protect confidentiality and reduce the risk of over-interpreting small groups.
Core rule
Results should only be displayed where the required response threshold is met. Where the threshold is not met, the result should be suppressed, grouped with a larger reporting unit or handled through a different listening method.
Why this matters
| Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Identification risk | Employees may believe their responses can be traced back to them. |
| Misinterpretation risk | A very small number of responses can create a misleading result. |
| Trust risk | If employees feel confidentiality was weakened, future participation will suffer. |
Practical reporting choices
- Group small teams into larger work areas.
- Avoid combined filters that create very small groups.
- Use qualitative follow-up carefully where survey data cannot be safely segmented.
- Present trends and themes rather than individual comments where comments may identify people.
Workshop rule
If a result cannot be safely shown in a formal report, it should not be casually discussed in a workshop or leadership meeting.