Few tools are more powerful in their impact than 360° leadership feedback assessments.  Since the perspective shared about a leader is from their boss AND their peers and direct reports, it is more meaningful to the leader receiving the feedback.  It is because the feedback is so powerful that the management of the process is so important.  There are best practices in this process and less than best practices can lead to more destructive than constructive outcomes.  Four compelling reasons suggest engaging an experienced consultant to advise and administer the 360° feedback.  First, they will coach you through the critical decision points, such as: test selection, assessment distribution and collection, integration with performance reviews, integration with training, and feedback delivery.  Secondly, faith in the process and its confidentiality is highest when a competent external provider is handling the administration.  Thirdly, the administration of a 360° feedback assessment is extremely labor intensive and would be a significant distraction to you and your staff.  An experienced 360 consultant will bring systems and processes which virtually eliminate the burden for the organization.  And lastly, competent 360 consultants will bring to you perspective in their analysis of the results which you could not derive on your own.  We apply all these value components into our Achievant 360° Leadership Feedback engagements.  The 360° feedback tool is too valuable to not couple with expert process engagement.