Ready for your first survey of 2019?
There’s so much exciting information out there, so much valuable feedback — and all those answers are just waiting for your questions!
But how does your survey design start? Your answer might reveal more than you think! Make your pick:
- I start with a blank slate.
- I copy an existing survey.
- I choose from the Survey Bank.
Before you read on: Remember, it’s a new year! Nobody’s sticking you in a box — you’ve got options, and you can always shake things up. That being said…
1. The Blank Slater
You live for adventure — and control. Whatever happens, good or bad, it’s in your hands. You color outside of the lines and you don’t care who knows it.
Sometimes you drag and drop a few questions together in your own particular style, just to see how it looks. Think as you go and see where inspiration takes you. There’s nothing to lose — you can always delete or discard!
Sometimes you have it all thought out ahead of time, and the project just flows perfectly. You easily transfer each precious piece from your brain or your whiteboard: Add questions, jiggle the logic, tweak the style, and take a bow!
After all, whether it’s a masterpiece or a bit half-baked, it’s all yours. Nice.
2. The Copier
This isn’t your first rodeo. You’re a survey design veteran, and you’re nobody’s fool. You trust your own experience and you’re not looking to rock the boat. You prize efficiency and invest your time wisely.
When you copy an existing survey, you’re taking all of that good work from the last project, tweaking the style and content as needed, and getting it out in a fraction of the time it took before. Update to the new logo and reset the appearance to match. Find and replace the year, boss’s name, and any other text that has to go. Simple!
Plus, you can’t get enough data. You love survey reports — trends, benchmarking, segmentation — and you know that consistency in questions multiplies your analytical power. You love being able to point to a chart and saying, “See? There’s the answer!”
You’ve got the experience to start strong and the hunger to keep improving. Nice.
3. The Survey Banker
You’re an observer, open to possibility and inspiration. You enjoy collaborating, and your survey design principles include seeking input from a range of subject matter experts. You’re smart — let’s just come out and say it — but you’re not afraid to admit when you’re out of your league and to ask for help.
A strong project, you believe, brings together the best in everyone. There’s no shame in following instructions, measuring exactly the right amount of ingredients, or using a pattern to cut your fabric: All of these guidelines make for a strong foundation. Once you have a better idea of what you’re doing, you can always set your own path.
You’re cooperative. Open to ideas. Willing to compromise, but never giving up. You add your own contributions to each project, customizing style and amping up the relevance to meet your team’s needs.
You’re a time-saver and a team player. Nice.
So, as you get ready for the first survey design of 2019, what’s it gonna be? There’s no wrong answer here, and you’ll learn as you go. No matter how your survey story starts, you can still reach a happy ending. 😉
Ready to go? Join a ‘Getting Started’ session!