Region Östergötland transformed employee feedback through digitalization
Industry
Healthcare
Head office
Linköping, Sweden
Employee
13 000
Client since
2019
“Plupp på tavlan gav oss en ögonblicksbild. Med Pulse får vi insikt över tid – och kan agera direkt där det verkligen behövs.”
Linus Lanker, HR-strateg & Förvaltningsledare HR, Region Östergötland
Background
For many years, Region Östergötland collected employee feedback through a simple yet widely used method: colored magnets on a whiteboard. Green, yellow, or red—offering a quick, visual check-in on the team’s daily mood. It was concrete, but also limited. Managers couldn’t identify trends, track changes over time, or receive guidance on how to respond.
When remote work became the norm in 2020, it was clear the magnet model no longer sufficed. The organization needed a solution that worked both in office hallways and at kitchen tables—one that delivered real insights, not just snapshots of the day.
That’s when HR strategist Linus Lanker and his team decided to go digital. They replaced the magnets with structured pulse surveys using Grade Pulse—a solution that seamlessly fit into their existing ecosystem, which already included Grade’s Talent platform, LMS, and dialogue support tools.
Solution
In autumn 2019, Region Östergötland launched its first digital pulse surveys via Grade Pulse. Depending on departmental needs, the surveys are distributed weekly, biweekly, or every third week. They arrive via email, work smoothly on both mobile and desktop devices, and can be completed in just a few seconds. “Our goal was to lower the threshold—both technically and mentally. It should be quick to respond, but still provide space for reflection,” explains Linus.
Managers now have access to a real-time dashboard in Grade, where they can monitor current results, observe trends over time, and review employee comments. The platform also offers suggested actions based on areas where responses signal challenges, providing both guidance and inspiration for meaningful dialogue. Anonymity builds trust, but employees can also choose to attach their name to responses—creating more transparency where possible and appropriate.
Results
The shift from magnets to Pulse has made a clear difference. Now, all employees—regardless of location—have the opportunity to make their voices heard. Feedback is continuous, not limited to annual performance reviews or crisis moments.
Managers particularly value the ability to spot patterns early and take immediate action—rather than waiting weeks to respond. Feedback has become a natural part of day-to-day leadership, not just an administrative task. Moreover, the platform has fostered a more nuanced feedback culture.
Rather than focusing solely on teams facing challenges, Region Östergötland also uses Pulse to understand what top-performing teams are doing right—and to spread those best practices across the organization. “We capture things while they’re still actionable. That means we’re not just measuring the climate—we’re improving it.”
“My advice to others? Make sure people understand why feedback matters, and show that it leads to change. That’s how you move beyond data collection—and start building trust.”
Linus Lanker
Curious on our products?
