10 Tips for Effective Developer Feedback Surveys

Want to create developer surveys that actually work? Here's how:

1. Keep it short (7-10 minutes)
2. Mix question types (closed, open, rating scales)
3. Write clear, specific questions
4. Make surveys anonymous
5. Tailor questions to dev roles
6. Ask about job satisfaction
7. Get feedback on leadership
8. Compare results over time
9. Plan next steps based on feedback
10. Keep improving your surveys

Quick comparison of survey types:

Remember: Good surveys lead to actionable insights. Bad ones waste everyone's time. Focus on what matters to devs, keep it simple, and actually use the feedback you get.

Ready to boost your dev team's productivity and happiness? Let's dive in.

Related video from YouTube

What Are Developer Feedback Surveys

Developer feedback surveys help companies understand how their software engineers feel about their work. These surveys show what's going well and what needs fixing in the dev environment.

Why Use Surveys

Surveys are a great way to get feedback from developers. They:

• Show how healthy the team is
• Track developer experience (DevEx) over time
• Spot areas where processes and tools can be better

Google, for example, surveys a third of their devs each year. This lets them ask detailed questions and see how dev satisfaction changes over time.

Common Survey Mistakes

Many companies mess up when making dev surveys. This can lead to bad feedback:

Jack Reichert from Shopify says: "If your feedback is productive it leads to growth, both of the individual, and the company."

To make good surveys:

• Keep them short
• Ask clear questions
• Make them anonymous
• Use the results

Planning Your Developer Survey

Want to create a killer developer survey? Here's how to nail it:

Set Clear Goals

First things first: figure out what you want to learn. Your goals will shape everything else.

Let's say you want to find out if devs are happy with their tools. Boom - that's your goal. Now you can ask the right questions.

Choose Key Topics

Pick what matters most. Some hot topics:

• Job satisfaction
• Team collaboration
• Dev tools
• Work-life balance
• Career growth

Pro tip: Ask devs to rank their biggest pain points. Focus on fixing those.

When and How Often to Survey

Timing is everything. Check out this breakdown:

Google's approach? They survey a third of their devs each year. It lets them ask detailed questions without driving everyone crazy.

"A survey should take somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes for each participant to complete." - Abi Noda, CEO at DX

Most companies find quarterly or twice-yearly surveys hit the sweet spot. It gives you time to actually do something with the feedback.

1. Keep Surveys Short and Focused

Want developers to actually finish your survey? Keep it short and sweet.

Best Survey Length

Aim for 10-14 minutes. Here's why:

Abi Noda, CEO at DX, says:

"A survey should take somewhere between 10 and 30 minutes for each participant to complete."

But shorter is better. To get more people to finish:

• Split long surveys into bite-sized chunks
• Show how many questions are left
• Test it with a small group first

Choosing the Right Questions

Pick questions that matter. Here's how:

1. Decide on your core questions
2. Use stuff like Net Promoter Score (NPS) to compare
3. Don't ask for info you already have

James Parton, a survey pro, says:

"Having clarity of purpose will help you streamline the survey to only capture information relevant to your goal."

When writing questions:

• Keep it simple
• One question at a time
• Limit open-ended questions (1-2 max, at the end)

2. Use Different Question Types

Mix up your question types to get better data from developer feedback surveys. Let's look at closed vs. open questions and rating scales.

Closed vs. Open Questions

Closed questions have set options. Open questions let developers write freely.

Tips:

• Use closed for specific data
• Add open to dig deeper
• Limit open to 1-2 at the end

Example: "How satisfied are you with the dev process?" (closed) Then "What changes would improve it?" (open)

Using Rating Scales

Rating scales measure attitudes in a structured way. They're great for tracking changes over time.

Types:

1. Numeric (1-5, 1-10)
2. Likert (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree)
3. Star ratings

Tips:

• Define each point clearly
• Be consistent
• Include a neutral option

Josh Bersin says:

"Organizations need to make decisions about people…and these decisions themselves are essentially evaluative by nature."

Rating scales make these evaluations more objective.

3. Write Clear and Specific Questions

Want useful feedback from developers? You need clear, specific questions. Here's how to nail it:

Ditch the Vague Stuff

Vague questions = useless results. Make your questions crystal clear:

• Get specific: Don't ask "How's our code review process?" Instead, try "How happy are you with our code review assignment system?"
• Use real examples: Ask about actual experiences, like "How often do you hit documentation roadblocks?"
• One topic per question: Don't cram multiple ideas into a single question.

Give Your Questions Some Context

Help developers understand WHY you're asking and HOW to answer:

• Explain yourself: "We want to make onboarding better, so..."
• Set a timeframe: "In the last month, how often did you..."
• Narrow it down: "About that new CI/CD pipeline we rolled out..."

Atlassian's dev survey nailed this with two questions per area:

1. How important is this?
2. How satisfied are you?

This approach gives context AND helps prioritize improvements.

"Bad questions create a mess of unreliable results or measure the wrong thing entirely."

Remember: Good questions = actionable insights.

4. Keep Surveys Anonymous

Want honest feedback from your dev team? Make your surveys anonymous. Here's why it matters:

Why Anonymity Works

Developers speak their minds when they know their names aren't attached. Check out these numbers:

• Buffer: 85% of employees felt more comfortable with anonymous feedback
• A tech startup: 70% of employees clammed up without anonymity
• Deloitte: Survey responses nearly doubled (45% to 85%) with guaranteed anonymity

How to Do It Right

1. Use a secure platform

Pick a survey tool that doesn't track IP addresses or other identifying info.

2. Skip the demographics

Even basic info like job title can blow cover in small teams.

3. Present data carefully

Share results as percentages or aggregates, not individual responses.

4. Be crystal clear

Tell devs exactly how you're protecting their privacy.

Getting Useful Insights

Anonymous doesn't mean useless. You can still:

• Ask about specific processes or tools, not people
• Use rating scales to spot trends
• Include open-ended questions for details

"People tell the truth when they feel safe. Our Vault Technology™ gives employees that safety to be transparent." - Stefan Wissenbach, Engagement Multiplier CEO

Real Results

• National Civil Rights Museum: 30% more positive feedback on touchy topics
• Patagonia: Employee satisfaction jumped from 68% to 85% in one year

Anonymous surveys work. Use them to get the real scoop from your dev team.

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5. Match Questions to Developer Roles

Different developers face different challenges. So, your survey questions should reflect that. Here's how:

Tailor Questions to Roles

Swarmia's survey framework does this well. They've got 32 questions covering:

• Collaboration
• Culture
• User needs
• Quality

Their structure looks at:

1. Business outcomes
2. Developer productivity
3. Developer experience

This captures what really matters for engineering effectiveness.

Here's a peek at some role-specific questions:

Atlassian takes a different approach. They measure developer experience in eight areas:

1. Shipping speed
2. Waiting time
3. Execution independence
4. Ways of working
5. External standards
6. Maintenance
7. Onboarding
8. Developer satisfaction

For each, they ask about satisfaction AND importance. Smart, right?

Tips for Your Questions

• Keep it brief: 5-10 questions per role
• Use plain English: Skip the jargon
• Mix it up: Use scales and open-ended questions
• Get actionable feedback: Ask about specific tools or processes

6. Ask About Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is crucial for keeping developers productive and on your team. Let's look at how to measure it effectively.

Measuring Job Satisfaction

Focus on these key areas:

1. Overall satisfaction
2. Work-life balance
3. Career growth
4. Team dynamics
5. Workload and stress

Here's a quick survey you can use:

Keep it anonymous for honest answers. Add open-ended questions like:

• "What do you love most about your job?"
• "What would make your job better?"

These can give you specific ideas for improvement.

Regular check-ins help spot trends and fix issues before they become problems. It's worth the effort - happy developers are more productive, take fewer sick days, and work better together.

"A happy team is your best asset in today's market." - Tech Executive

Did you know? 88% of developers face burnout. By focusing on job satisfaction, you can help prevent this common issue.

7. Get Feedback on Leadership

Good leaders can make or break a dev team. Here's how to get the real scoop on your tech leaders:

Assessing Leadership

Try these methods to get the inside track:

1. 360-degree feedback: Get input from everyone - bosses, peers, and team members.
2. Anonymous surveys: Let devs speak their minds without worry.
3. Regular check-ins: Quick, frequent chats about how things are going.

When you're crafting those leadership surveys, zero in on these key areas:

A few tips:

• Keep it specific
• Mix ratings and open-ended questions
• Ask about the good and the not-so-good

"360 feedback cuts through individual bias by gathering multiple perspectives." - Qualtrics

Regular leadership feedback helps you:

• Catch problems early
• Get everyone on the same page
• Keep devs happy
• Know where leaders need to improve

Don't just collect feedback - use it. Share results with leaders and make a game plan. It shows devs you're listening and helps build a stronger team.

8. Compare Results Over Time

Tracking survey results over time is crucial for improving your developer experience. Here's how to do it effectively:

Setting Starting Points

To measure progress, you need a clear starting point:

1. Establish your baseline: Run your first survey and use those results as your benchmark. If 65% of developers are satisfied with their work-life balance, that's your starting point.

2. Choose key metrics: Pick a few important metrics to track:

3. Set a schedule: Decide on survey frequency. Every 8-12 weeks works well.

4. Track changes: Compare each survey's results to your baseline. Look for trends and big shifts.

5. Act on the data: Use your findings to make improvements. Low tool satisfaction? Time to reassess your tech stack.

6. Measure the impact: Ask in follow-up surveys if developers have noticed changes based on previous feedback.

Stack Overflow's annual developer survey is a great example of tracking changes over time. In May 2024, they surveyed over 65,000 developers, spotting year-over-year industry trends.

"We've always had this vision of correlating developer sentiment with the concrete process and outcome metrics we're measuring on Faros to understand how the two are linked." - Matthew Runkle, Director of Cloud Engineering at SmartBear

9. Plan Next Steps

You've got your survey results. Now what? Let's turn those insights into action.

Creating Action Plans

1. Analyze the data

Dig into those responses. What patterns jump out? Where are the pain points?

2. Prioritize issues

Focus on what matters most. Here's a quick way to rank them:

3. Set clear goals

Pick specific, measurable targets. For example:

• Cut CI/CD pipeline time in half within 3 months
• Update all core docs in 6 weeks

4. Assign ownership

Who's responsible for what? Make it clear.

5. Create a timeline

Set deadlines and break them into smaller steps.

6. Communicate the plan

Share it with your team. Be open about the results and your next moves.

7. Follow up regularly

Check in often. Adjust as needed.

8. Measure impact

After changes, survey again. Did it work?

"The best way to boost developer engagement? Show them you actually use their feedback." - James Parton, CodeX

It's not just about asking for input. It's about acting on it. Show your team their voice matters.

Arylee McSweaney from Etsy shared a real-world example:

"I joined a team with low survey scores. So, I held a one-hour chat. People wanted to feel seen, heard, and recognized for their work."

That simple conversation led to big improvements in team morale.

Keep the ball rolling:

• Do quick follow-up surveys every 8-12 weeks
• Celebrate wins, big and small
• Be honest about setbacks
• Keep tweaking your survey process

Remember: It's not about perfect surveys. It's about constant improvement.

10. Keep Improving Your Surveys

Surveys need regular updates. Here's how to keep them sharp:

Updating Survey Design

1. Cut the fluff: Remove useless questions. Add ones that matter now.

2. Test first: Try it with a small group. Fix issues before the big launch.

3. Keep it quick: SurveyMonkey says shorter = more responses. Aim for 7-10 minutes.

4. Mix question types: Keep developers engaged:

5. Track changes: Compare results over time. Spot shifts in developer mood.

6. Ask about the survey: Include: "I've seen changes from last survey's feedback."

7. Use data tools: Find patterns with analytics software.

8. Talk it out: Discuss results with your team.

"Benchmarking is key. Without knowing what's normal, your data's not very useful." - Abi Noda, CEO at DX

9. Set a schedule: Survey every 8-12 weeks to catch issues early.

10. Be open: Share results and plans. It builds trust and encourages participation.

The goal? Constant improvement of your developer experience, not perfect surveys.

Conclusion

Key Points Review

Here's a quick recap of the main tips for effective developer feedback surveys:

• Keep it short (7-10 minutes)
• Mix up question types
• Be clear and specific
• Guarantee anonymity
• Tailor to developer roles
• Ask about job satisfaction
• Get leadership feedback
• Track results over time
• Plan next steps
• Keep refining your surveys

Why Developer Feedback Matters

Developer feedback is crucial for boosting team productivity and satisfaction. Here's why:

• It uncovers hidden issues
• It drives targeted improvements
• It shows developers you value their input

"Thanks for your feedback, this is really valuable. This is going to help us keep an eye on how things are trending and where we need to invest in the future." - Abi Noda, CEO at DX

But collecting feedback is just the start. The real impact comes from taking action. Here's a simple plan:

1. Share results with your team
2. Focus on 2-3 key areas
3. Create an improvement plan
4. Make changes
5. Follow up in the next survey

Remember: Your surveys should evolve as your team does. Keep refining your approach to get the most valuable insights.

Appendix: Example Questions and Templates

Here are some questions and templates for your developer feedback surveys:

Product Experience Survey

Software Evaluation Survey

1. How satisfied are you with the software? Ideas for improvement?
2. Anything not working right?
3. How's the product safety?
4. Thoughts on software integration capabilities?

Developer Experience Survey

Rate these statements (1-5):

1. My team can make decisions to reach business goals.
2. We have clear priorities.
3. I can influence our work.
4. I get help when needed.
5. New team members become productive quickly.
6. All meetings are useful.
7. We collaborate well with other teams.
8. We often improve our work methods.
9. I get quality feedback from my team.
10. I feel safe expressing concerns.

Code Review Process Survey

Engineering System Survey

1. Rate our engineering system (1-5)
2. Any ideas to improve it or new tools we should use?

Testing Environment Survey

Rate the testing environment (1-5): 1 = Hard to test, launch issues, too much process 5 = Easy to test, well-notified, easy to troubleshoot

Company Organization Survey

1. How likely to recommend our company as a workplace? (1-5)
2. What do you like about working here?
3. What don't you like?

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