Accurate employee data enables reviews, engagement surveys, and reporting to function correctly in 15Five. This article covers the three methods for adding people data and the field mapping and group assignment steps required for each.
Before You Begin
- You must have an Account Admin or HR Admin role.
- Decide which method fits your organization before starting: HRIS Connector, CSV import, or manual entry.
Method 1: HRIS Connector (Recommended)
An HRIS Connector syncs employee data automatically from your HR system (for example, BambooHR, Rippling, Justworks, or ADP), reducing ongoing manual updates.
- Go to the left-hand navigation and select Settings.
- Select Integrations.
- Locate your HRIS provider and select Connect.
- Authenticate with your HRIS credentials when prompted.
- Map the following fields from your HRIS to 15Five: Name, Email, Manager, Hire Date, and Role.
- Map any additional attributes — for example, demographic or role data — to enable richer reporting.
- Assign employees to groups: Department, Location, and Team.
- Review manager and admin permissions before confirming.
- Select Sync to import your people data.
Method 2: CSV Import
Use a CSV import when you do not have an HRIS Connector or need a one-time bulk upload.
- Go to the left-hand navigation and select Settings.
- Select People, then select Import People.
- Download the CSV template provided on the import page.
- Add employee data to the template. Required columns: Name, Email, Manager, Hire Date, Role.
- Add optional columns for demographic or role attributes to enable richer reporting.
- Add group assignments in the designated columns: Department, Location, Team.
- Save the completed file as a
.csv. - Upload the file using the Choose File button.
- Review the field mapping screen and confirm each column maps to the correct 15Five field.
- Select Import to add the data.
Method 3: Manual Entry
Use manual entry to add individual employees without a file upload or HRIS connection.
- Go to the left-hand navigation and select Settings.
- Select People, then select Add Person.
- Enter the employee's Name and Email.
- Set the Manager field.
- Enter the Hire Date and Role.
- Add any additional attributes for reporting.
- Assign the employee to groups: Department, Location, Team.
- Review the Permissions field and set the correct access level.
- Select Save.
If Something Goes Wrong
| Issue | Check | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| HRIS sync fails on connect | Credentials entered correctly | Re-authenticate using admin credentials from your HRIS |
| CSV import returns field errors | Required columns present and named exactly as in the template | Re-download the template, re-enter data, and re-upload |
| CSV import shows blank manager field | Manager email in CSV matches an existing 15Five user's email | Correct the manager email in the CSV and re-import |
| Employee not appearing after manual save | Duplicate email address in the system | Search People for the email before adding again |
| Groups not visible during assignment | Groups have not been created yet in 15Five | Create groups under Settings → Groups before assigning |
Not Covered Here
This article does not cover configuring Single Sign-On (SSO), editing or deactivating existing employees, or managing group settings after initial setup.