How can we fix the MSAF 360 Evaluation System?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:02:28 -0500

The MSAF is undergoing a review and survey to improve the system. They emailed recent users with a survey, but I wanted to add more input separately and decided to ask the RP masses for their opinion.

I will add more detail in the post.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 9:20 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:20:12 -0500

The Multi-Source Assessment and Feedback (MSAF) Program was designed to provide leaders with a tool that can be used to help with the development and maintenance of various leadership styles. Through surveying Senior, Peer, and Subordinate members of your sphere, you can get an anonymous assessment of what things are working or not working.

The system has been fraught with problems, including typical miliitary website issues as well as, in my experience, an apparent lack of importance with respondents. The developers have re-worked the website and sent an email to recent users to assess the system through a survey and to provide feedback. I found the simple feedback email survey was limited and replied to the developers that I have much more to add beyond the scope of the survey. They welcomed by additional input.

So, I am seeking more input from other members that I can draw from and compile. My comments will be included anonymously with the results of the feedback survey. Any additional input from fellow RP members will be distilled and included with my email, and will not have any personal information. In other words, I won't say that "SP9 Jones on Rallypoint said that this system blows".

I am going to comment on how the system has been utilized (or not), website access by respondents, and my thoughts on how effective this has been as a leadership tool. Feel free to elaborate on these or any other areas that may be useful

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2017 9:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 09:05:55 -0500

I think that the biggest problem with the system is the human factor. If someone likes somebody they're going to talk them up. If someone doesn't like someone or they've had their toes stepped on by the individual being evaluated, they're going to be more harsh.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2017 2:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 02:54:31 -0500

1SG Private RallyPoint Member put in more options so it is more valuable and not cookie cutter. Make it mandatory for people to provide feedback. Currently, you may have to go back years to get enough supervisors to respond to the MSAF 360 in order to meet the minimum responses necessary to close it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2017 5:08 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 17:08:38 -0400

The experience I have had using the MSAF system has been painful. It has taken me all day to just get to my dashboard. It takes multiple times to get the people to show up in designated areas; peer, subordinate or supervisor. The names I do get to show up in the designated area are then erased when I continue and I get error messages when I try to go back to reenter them.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 10:05 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:05:38 -0400

The MASF system will not load on either my government computer or my personal computer, when people send me requests to provide feedback I am unable to do so; forget being able to actually fill out one for myself. It is a great tool in theory but in its current state it is a giant waste of time. The Army should remove the requirement to use a broken system. The system should be moved to a more reliable server or optimized to increase realibility and speed.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2017 12:11 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 12:11:28 -0400

This site is an abysmal failure. Working from home or the office, it averages 4 minutes per load per ACTION. Re-attempts are required. And I am required to get GO-level input? The failures of this site prohibit effective input from superiors, peers, or subordinates.

This is an unacceptable waste of government resources and my team's time.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 1:24 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:24:16 -0500

It still takes a long time to load (if it ever does) and still isn't working properly.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2018 10:52 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Feb 2018 10:52:14 -0500

MSAF is a complete waste of time and resources. End it. It has no value. If your rater hasn't counseled you on your strengths and weaknesses then this surely won't help. For Guardsmen and reservists it's even worse because we get 1 OER a year and there are limited events. Creative writing skills are a must.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 16 at 2018 12:33 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 00:33:00 -0400

A friend of mine suggested changing the MSAF to 2 questions.
Q1: Would you want to work under the leadership of (Rank Last Name)?
Q2: Would you want (Rank Last Name) under your leadership?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2018 1:51 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 May 2018 13:51:12 -0400

This program is just another "check the box" that detracts from actual mission time. It just happens that it also does not load or work properly and hasn't for years.
I seriously considered calling the Fraud Waste and Abuse hotline about it. Then realized that it wouldn't make a difference. Somebody would still be saddling us with it for an OER bullet. The only thing harder than balancing the budget is ending a government program.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2018 6:18 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 06:18:18 -0400

The MSAF 360 survey consistently fails to load. On both my government and personal computers it takes 30+ minutes to load a single page and times out forcing my CAC logout of the website before completing. Completion and printing of this survey is required for NCOES and after 3 days I still haven’t been able to complete it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2018 3:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:47:59 -0500

I'm scheduled for 42A ALC in a month. I just received this email: Students scheduled to attend ALC, SLC, SMC, WOAC, WOSC, WOSSC, CCC, School of Advanced Leadership and Tactics, ILE, the Battalion Command, PCC (Fort Leavenworth) and (CES courses Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced) shall be notified through ATRRS to participate in an MSAF assessment. MSAF assessments are available at https://msaf.army.mil. Timely completion of required steps allows feedback to be available during resident course phases.
All deferment requests for ALC, SLC and MLC require a DA 4187 endorsed by a General Officer or SES in the chain of command.
What purpose is this used for? I struggling to get in to the site and wondering if its even worth it.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2019 2:50 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 May 2019 14:50:12 -0400

Does anyone know if you are doing it for ALC if the class instructor can see if anyone replied?