What are imported comparison datasets?
Imported comparison datasets allow historical, external or target scores to be added to the People Insight dashboard as a named comparison baseline.
You might use an imported comparison dataset to:
Compare current results with scores from a previous survey provider
Track progress against organisational KPIs or leadership targets
Use approved sector or external reference figures
Preserve historical context when the original survey responses are not held in People Insight
Imported comparison datasets contain aggregate comparison scores only. They do not import individual survey responses, comments, respondent details or response counts.
Creating an imported comparison dataset
Please reach out to your People Insight administrator to set up an imported comparison dataset.
Using an imported comparison dataset
Once the dataset has been made visible by your PI administrator, it appears alongside the other comparison datasets available in the dashboard.
Your organisation’s survey administrators can select the imported dataset from the comparison menu. In the reports, the dashboard will display the imported score alongside the current survey results and shows the difference between them.Dashboard users can view the imported dataset in the dashboard.
The imported dataset value remains fixed while the current survey results continue to reflect the user’s permitted dashboard view and applied filters.
Updating an imported comparison dataset
Imported comparison datasets do not refresh automatically.
To change an imported score, your PI administrator must open the dataset, update the relevant value and save the dataset again. This keeps the comparison baseline stable until an intentional change is made.
A value can also be removed by clearing the relevant field and saving the dataset.
Using partial comparison data
An imported comparison dataset can contain values for only some questions.
For example, your organisation may have agreed targets for five strategic questions but no external reference figures for the rest of the survey. Your PI administrator can enter the five available values and leave the remaining fields blank.
Where no imported value has been provided, the dashboard will not display a comparison value for that question.
Choosing suitable comparison data
Before requesting an imported comparison dataset to be created by your PI administrator, confirm that each score:
Comes from an approved and trusted source
Relates to a compatible survey question
Uses the correct score type
Is clearly identified as a result, external reference or target
Is appropriate for the intended dashboard audience
People Insight’s platform will validate the score format and permitted range. It does not validate how an external score was calculated whether its sample is representative or whether its methodology is equivalent to the current survey.
Access and visibility
Imported comparison data does not change the existing permissions, filters, organisational hierarchy or anonymity controls applied to current survey results.
Important considerations
Imported comparison datasets provide aggregate context. They should not be treated as evidence of:
A particular number of respondents
The composition of the original sample
Statistical significance
Equivalent survey methodologies
An automatically verified external benchmark
Use a clear dataset name and maintain an appropriate internal record of the source, period and meaning of the imported scores.