Survey Feedback in Combat Units in the U.S. Army in Europe: A Pilot Project

Abstract

The survey feedback pilot provided a recurring structured sequence to 60 companies, after an initial briefing in June 1974. Troops responded to a survey questionnaire. Feedback of troop responses was provided to company commanders and summarized feedback to battalion commanders. Commanders were encouraged to meet with subordinates to plan action responses. The sequence was repeated four times at quarterly intervals between June 1974 and April 1975. Company commanders were trained to use the survey data in a four-step OE cycle of diagnosis, action planning, action, and evaluation. Survey questionnaire items were related to leadership, organizational climate, job satisfaction, administrative functions, and training activities. A training manual for commanders and software for presenting feedback were developed. Measures of unit improvement - unit indicators - did not indicate that the survey feedback system had produced any significant change. However, responses to survey questionnaire items, particularly by E1-E4s, became more positive over time in companies receiving feedback.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA076693

Entities

People

  • Arthur J. Daltas
  • Charles Cosentino
  • Douglas Holmes
  • Gerald C. Leader
  • Harold C. Strasel

Organizations

  • U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Army Personnel
  • Artillery
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Education
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Personnel Management
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Standards
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Surveys
  • Training

Readers

  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Military Science