Most of us do our best to prepare staff for upcoming assessments and the types of questions assessors may ask.
That preparation can come in a lot of different forms—emails, study guides, PowerDMS tests, in-person prep, and more.
All of those methods work.
But sometimes, especially when it comes in the form of a test, it can feel a little stressful on the receiving end.
And really, the goal isn’t to test people—it’s to prepare them.
So what if you could deliver those same potential assessor questions, still prepare your staff, and get insight into what they know… but without making it feel like a test?
That’s where surveys come in.
The survey feature in PowerDMS gives you a really simple way to do this. Instead of testing staff, you’re essentially checking the temperature. You’re giving them the questions they might be asked and allowing them to indicate whether they feel confident or need more information.
Here’s a simple way to structure it:
Use easy response options
Instead of tricky answers, use options like:
• “Yes, got it”
• “I’d like more information”
This isn’t about testing—it’s about awareness.
One tip that will save you time—once you create your first survey and get the format the way you like it, just clone it. Then all you have to do is swap out the questions each time.
Now, if you don’t have access to the survey feature in PowerDMS, you can still use this same approach in other ways. You could build it out in a PDF, use a Google Form, or even take it a step further with something interactive like my Accreditation Readiness Coach. It's a customGPT, that gives staff a chance to walk through questions in a mock interview format, which is another great way to prepare.
The tool itself isn’t the most important part—it’s the approach.
And one thing I always emphasize is to go back and look at the results. That’s really where the value is. You’ll quickly see who feels confident, who needs more information, and where you may need to focus your efforts.
When I rolled this out at one agency, I got a lot of positive feedback from staff. They shared that it felt much less stressful than taking a graded test, and they were more willing to engage with the material because of it.
At the end of the day, this is just a different way to think about preparation.
Instead of testing people, you’re preparing them in a way that’s low-pressure, practical, and still gives you the insight you need.
Who do you know that could benefit from these accreditation-friendly tips and resources? Consider sharing this link with a colleague so they can sign up:https://www.accreditationacademy.net/signup
Areaka P. Jewell
Accreditation Academy
areaka@accreditationacademy.net
(305) 360-1075