Targeted Micro-Surveys
Micro-surveys are short, topic-specific surveys used when the organisation needs deeper insight into a known issue, risk or change initiative.
Appropriate use
Use targeted micro-surveys for:
- psychosocial risk themes such as workload, role clarity, change, conflict or support;
- specific change initiatives, restructures or technology rollouts;
- safety, wellbeing, inclusion or flexible work issues;
- follow-up on annual or pulse survey priority areas;
- testing whether a specific intervention is having the desired impact.
Design rules
| Rule | Practice |
|---|---|
| Clear purpose | Use a micro-survey only where there is a decision or action pathway. |
| Short and specific | Keep the question set focused on the topic. Do not recreate the annual survey. |
| Alignment discipline | Map questions to relevant EOF drivers or risk themes. |
| Careful reporting | Apply confidentiality thresholds and use aggregated themes where cohort sizes are small. |
| Fast close-the-loop | Micro-surveys create a strong expectation that employees will hear what happens next. |
Related resource: 12 Targeted Micro-Survey Item Library.