Surveys & Questionnaires

Definition

Surveys and Questionnaires are structured sets of questions distributed to a large audience to collect information efficiently and consistently. They are primarily used for quantitative data collection, though qualitative open-text responses may be included. They scale elicitation across stakeholder groups that cannot attend interviews or workshops.

Inputs

• Clearly defined elicitation objectives
• A list of stakeholders or target respondents
• Approved distribution channel (email, survey tool, internal portal)
• Timeframe and completion deadline

Outputs

• Aggregated quantitative responses and trend data
• Prioritized themes from open-text responses
• Statistical evidence to validate or challenge assumptions
• Inputs to requirements, readiness assessments, or impact analyses

When to Use

• Input is required from many geographically distributed stakeholders
• Standardized responses are needed for comparison or statistical analysis
• Time and stakeholder availability are limited
• Quantitative evidence is required to support a business case or priority decision

When Not to Use

• When depth of understanding is required — use interviews instead
• When the question set is ambiguous or likely to be interpreted inconsistently — pilot first
• When response rate will be too low to be meaningful
• As the sole technique for complex or high-stakes requirements