What’s it like to take part in an ARC Diagnostic?

ARC Diagnostics are how we deliver Value Codes for respondents to evaluate the Things That Matter, all in a fully secure, inclusive and scalable way.

But what is it like to take part in a diagnostic?

The answer flows from how a diagnostic differs almost completely from a survey.

There are some superficial similarities between a survey and a diagnostic (often leading people to confuse one for the other), but the key differences are summarized in this comparison table.

Diagnostic / Survey Comparison Table

It’s worth keeping this comparison in mind as you read the following summary of the end-to-end respondent experience of a diagnostic, collated from direct feedback we’ve had over the years.

Initial Engagement

Personal Engagement – The process begins with a personal invitation from a business leader, which respondents say makes them “feel valued” and that their input is important. The level of detail and structure in the invitation suggests the assessment is important and relevant, and the context for the diagnostic is fully explained – including the benefits of taking part, and usually the number of Respondents – so there can be no sense that this is a casual or trivial exercise.

Security – Respondents are immediately asked to create an account upon accessing a diagnostic (or to log in if returning), which emphasizes the security of the diagnostic environment. This makes it clear that those running the diagnostic are “taking privacy seriously”, and that what gets said will be properly protected.

Guidance and Clarity – the first thing Respondents see is an explanation of how to engage with the diagnostic, both in terms of what buttons to click, and in terms of the diagnostic’s purpose, what’s being asked of respondents, and how anonymity is guaranteed. This reinforces a sense of purpose and also reassures respondents that they “can be fully frank, without fear of exposure”.

Diagnostic Content

Relevant and Engaging – The assessment uses Value Codes, which have been carefully developed to reflect respondent priorities and experiences (the Things That Matter). They typically address areas that respondents are “not used to seeing evaluated”, which is immediately “much more engaging and motivating than other change initiatives”.

An example Value Code

Clear Structure and Language – The Value Codes are carefully organized into diagnostic sections that reflect topic areas. This helps respondents understand the meaning and significance of the Value Codes, and the combination of Value Code names and diagnostic structure facilitates the development of a “shared language“, which “makes it easier to communicate effectively with colleagues”.

Objective Feedback – The evaluation statements within the Value Codes introduce objectivity and precision, grounding the high level Things That Matter to make them measurable, and “makes it possible to give feedback that is based in fact, rather than opinion”. The pre-written statements communicate and “describe what good looks like” and help respondents “articulate perspectives much more easily”.

Thoughtful Evaluation – Unlike typical surveys, diagnostics require respondents to think carefully, using detailed evaluation statements to consider the nuances of each situation. Respondents select the statement that best describes their perspective rather than having to write their own. This is designed to save time and means “far less anxiety about wording or causing offence”.

Contributing Perspectives

Meaningful Contribution – The coverage and nature of Value Codes mean that Respondents feel that their insights and experience are valued, and that they’re “not just being casually asked for their opinions”. They are able to “understand how [their] perspective fits into the bigger picture and why it matters”, and they “get a sense of what the business considers important”.

Convenience – The diagnostic doesn’t have to be completed in one go, and can be returned-to at any time. This gives Respondents time to properly consider feedback, or to go away and look into something, before committing to how they evaluate the Value Codes

Being Heard – Diagnostics give a voice to those that are often overlooked by surveys or in workshops, and they give an opportunity to finally “tell it how it is”. Respondents gain a “sense of participation”, a sense of having “skin in the game”, and finally have “a constructive outlet for any pent-up feelings and frustrations”.

Key realizations and benefits

The evaluation provides a structured and thoughtful process that encourages active participation and reflection.

It’s designed to give a deeper understanding of things that matter and help drive positive organizational change, whilst also providing valuable insights for each individual.

Some key realizations and benefits that respondents report are:

A New Perspective: Respondents realize the assessment is a “two-way communication” tool, where they have the chance to contribute their views and see what others think good looks like. They realize they are the eyes and ears for the organization and have an “opportunity to contribute”.  Reports on their own responses clarify their perspectives and why they hold them.

Progressive Understanding: The process “highlights the journey the team is on”, helping respondents recognise how far they have come and what steps they can take to improve. It also makes it “easier to recognise and value the different perceptions and expectations of others”.

Motivation and Engagement: Evaluating things that matter in this way is engaging and motivating – participants feel their contribution is valued and that their perspective is being “acknowledged and taken seriously”.

Actionable Insights: The evaluation process helps respondents understand where they “might be focusing too much or too little effort”, and provides a basis to re-prioritize their workload. They also see “opportunities to combine forces with colleagues”.

Shared Understanding: The evaluation process acts as “an anchor point, providing a stable foundation for improvement and a benchmark for future progress”. It encourages people to work together to find ways to do things better.

Improved Communication: The process improves communication, and the use of a “shared language is increasingly helpful in offline conversations”. Respondents can use the short-hand Value Code labels, detailed evaluation statements, and their own saved comments to facilitate more structured and constructive meetings.

For all these reasons, evaluating Things That Matter through Value Codes is therefore a very different experience to the typical survey, both for the individual and the organization. 

But there’s no substitute for experiencing it yourself… so Contact Us today to discuss which diagnostic would most benefit you.