Survey Launch Readiness: A Checklist for Seamless Field Execution
Avoid last-minute surprises and protect data quality with ADRG’s proven pre-launch process
Introduction
Launching a survey can be high stakes. A misaligned screener, missing logic link, or broken quota can derail timelines, damage client confidence, and undermine results. At American Directions Research Group (ADRG), we’ve refined a robust launch protocol that helps clients run smoother studies with more reliable data.
This blog outlines essential survey launch readiness tasks for telephone and web-based studies, plus the operational guardrails ADRG builds to catch errors before they reach the field.
Why Survey Launch Planning Matters
Survey launch is more than pressing “go.” It is a coordinated effort that aligns survey logic, sample systems, interviewer instructions, and client expectations. Poor planning can lead to:
- Invalid responses caused by broken skip patterns
- Unfillable quotas due to misconfigured targeting
- Recontact delays caused by inaccurate disposition codes
- QA audit gaps stemming from missing documentation
ADRG’s structured launch approach addresses these risks with detailed preparation and cross-team alignment.
ADRG’s Survey Launch Readiness Checklist
Here is the core checklist ADRG follows before any survey goes live:
| Task | Purpose |
| Script QA and logic verification | Ensures all routing, skip logic, and question flow function as expected |
| Sample frame cross-check | Validates that targeting matches quotas and incidence assumptions |
| Quota setup confirmation | Confirms fills by age, gender, region, and other variables |
| Interviewer brief creation | Provides clear study context, definitions, and protocol rules |
| Disposition code configuration | Ensures proper tracking of outcomes, callbacks, and refusals |
| Recording setup and monitoring | Activates call recording or screen capture for QA sampling |
| Data validation triggers | Embeds early warnings for open-ended miscodes or soft launches |
| Launch simulation | Tests end-to-end flow, including sample delivery and survey interface |
| Client review and final signoff | Allows for final revisions and approval before fieldwork begins |
Each step helps prevent costly errors and ensures the client receives consistent, high-quality results.
Web vs. Telephone Launch Considerations
Different modes require tailored readiness workflows.
For telephone surveys, ADRG builds:
- Live interviewer onboarding decks
- Crosswalks between script and disposition codes
- Monitoring templates for real-time response tracking
For web surveys, we configure:
- Device and browser testing
- Data piping and randomization audits
- Fraud filters including IP blocking and bot detection
Mode-specific prep avoids technical glitches and supports a smoother launch process.
Post-Launch Safeguards
Launch does not end when fieldwork begins. ADRG monitors early completes for:
- Unusual response patterns or timing irregularities
- Skipped sections or misaligned quotas
- Interviewer protocol deviation or high refusal rates
This allows our team to intervene early, avoiding full re-fielding or missed deadlines.
Partner with ADRG for Confident Survey Execution
Survey execution is where preparation meets precision. ADRG’s survey launch readiness framework reduces uncertainty, safeguards data quality, and improves client satisfaction.
Whether you are running a 50-state tracking study or a community-level pilot, we ensure every launch starts right.