A Key Driver, in the context of surveys and data analysis, is a survey question or factor that has a significant impact on the overall outcome or focal point score being measured. Key Drivers are the critical components or areas that, when improved, offer the best chance of enhancing the overall score, such as employee engagement.
Here are the key points regarding Key Drivers:
Statistical Analysis: Key Drivers are determined through statistical analysis of survey responses. This analysis helps identify which specific questions or factors are most strongly associated with the outcome of interest, such as engagement.
Varied Impact: The influence of Key Drivers can vary between different groups or teams within the organisation. What drives engagement for one team may not be the same for another. For example, in one department, training might be a crucial driver, while in another, it may not be as significant.
Correlation Analysis: Key Driver analysis often relies on correlation. The questions that show the strongest correlation with the desired outcome (e.g., engagement) are considered Key Drivers. Correlation measures the degree of association between two variables and ranges from 0 (no correlation) to 1 (perfect correlation).
Influence on Outcome: Key Drivers are those survey questions or factors that have the highest impact on the outcome being measured from a statistical perspective. By focusing on these Key Drivers, organisations can work on improving the aspects that will have the most significant influence on the overall outcome.
Departmental Differences: Key Drivers can vary among different departments or demographic groups within the organisation. Different teams may have unique factors that are particularly important for their engagement.
Action Planning: Key Drivers are used to prioritise action planning. Organisations can concentrate their efforts on improving the specific areas identified as Key Drivers to positively impact the overall outcome.
Supplementary Analysis: While Key Drivers provide essential insights, they do not tell the whole story. Additional factors to consider include comparing question scores to external benchmarks, internal benchmarking within the organisation, and analysing open-text comments from respondents to gain a comprehensive understanding of the data.
In summary, Key Drivers are pivotal survey questions or factors that significantly influence the measured outcome, and organisations use them to guide improvement efforts. These drivers are determined through statistical analysis, often involving correlation analysis, and can vary across different teams or demographic groups within an organisation. Key Driver analysis helps organisations identify where to focus their efforts to positively influence the desired outcome.