There are a myriad of factors to consider when you are planning your project. Most affect time and cost, so it's important to get them sorted at the beginning of your project.

		PROJECT PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
		A list of factors for you to consider as you plan your project, so that the project runs smoothly and we meet your requirements. Click here for more
		A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SAMPLE PLANNING
		A brief guide to the options you have for sourcing respondents and planning your sample. Click here for more

Here is a list of factors for you to consider as you plan your project, so that the project runs smoothly and we meet your requirements.

You may wish to review this list as you prepare your brief to us, to ensure our price estimate is accurate.

Survey design and scripting

1. Do you anticipate changes after the questionnaire has been provided? Are there any circumstances that indicate the questionnaire will change once we start scripting?

2. Do you need us to attend any meetings?

3. What grade of survey will you provide (1 - 4)?

4. Are there multi-media files?

• In what format will they be provided?
• Will we need to work on them?
• Would you like us to source any images for you?

5. Who is the contact person for the job (we find that only one point of contact and no cc's to others on emails to us works most efficiently)

6. What languages are required if more than one? Do you wish Research Connections to organise the translations and if not are your translators trained with the Research Connections Translation Portal?

7. Are there any security issues with the topic e.g. the cost of a competitor seeing the survey questions if they are on a panel or on your list? What strategies can mitigate this risk?

8. Are new brand templates required?

9. Are additional log ins required for new users?

10. Is any training required to access results when the study goes live?

11. Are all people involved in the approval process aware of the 'one round of editing' rule before extra charges are incurred?

12. Have arrangements been made to meet the Research Connections 7-day payment terms?

Respondents

Email list

1. Is the list in perfect condition or is a review/tidy up required?

2. Is there additional data in the list to be drawn into the survey?

3. Do you have permission to use the list under current legislation?

4. What email address will the survey be sent out from?

5. Will you provide copy for email and reminder?

6. Will more than one reminder be required?

7. Do you have a process set up for those on the list who advise they don't want to be surveyed now or in future? (we can help with this)

8. Does your IT department know the survey is happening and permit the release of the emails from your email address (and accept any replies)

9. Do we need to pre-test with any recipient organisations, that they can access the Buzz Channel servers?

Panel

1. How many completed responses?

2. Does the sample need to be representative of any universe and, if so, what are these requirements?

3. Are there any 'filter out' questions and if so, what proportion of respondents is likely to be filtered out by these questions?

4. If incidence is very low, is a Snap Poll required?

5. Have you considered partly sourcing respondents from existing email lists or databases if available?

6. Will we need to use alternative panels in NZ or overseas? If so, are you aware of the terms and condition of these panel companies?

7. Is everyone aware that our price is an estimate only and if the time limit is exceeded or incidence is lower, the invoice will be higher?

Research services

1. Do you want assistance or support from a Research Connections Researcher to scope the project or draft the survey?

2. Do you want assistance with analysis or reporting?

3. Do you want assistance with sample planning?

Project management services

1. How many email campaigns are required for this project?

2. Do you want a pre-survey introductory email?

3. Is there more than one Excel file of emails?

4. Do you want different introductory emails?

5. Is there more than one group of email addresses?

6. Do you want to use different language emails or greetings?

7. Do you want emails to go out from more than one email address?

8. Are there any special reporting requirements? For example

• Response rate by groups of respondents
• Response rate to each reminders

9. Do you require or anticipate more than one pilot?

Data requirements

1. Will you log in and access/export  the data without our assistance?

2. Do you want an SPSS file?

3. Will you require any Data manipulation?

4. Do you require any coding or text analysis?

Technology services

1. Do you anticipate any programming to set up your survey? (we can help assess this)

2. Do you require an online portal for the project? Would you like to direct people to a website in order to participate in the survey?

3. Are there any other aspects of the project that will involve the Research Connections programmers e.g. managing Flash files, survey logic, conversations with client-side IT people, discussions about firewalls or security?

4. Is there a requirement for tailored reporting?

Timing

1. What are your key dates, including provision of final questionnaire and availability of final results?