Survey lifecycle tracking

A non-transitory, machine-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions for tracking a lifecycle that, if executed by a survey computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

• receiving, by the computer, first distribution tracking data from a service provider, wherein the distribution tracking data includes a survey identifier along with additional information and the distribution tracking data is based upon detection of a first distribution tracking indicator, wherein a plurality of survey solicitations are registered in a tracking database comprising a plurality of tracking datasets each including the survey identifier, wherein each distribution tracking identifier is configured to be detected, and wherein the survey identifier is associated with a plurality of distribution tracking indicators and a plurality of response tracking indicators, and wherein the plurality of response tracking indicators is each associated with a survey response;
• matching, by the computer and based upon the survey identifier, the first distribution tracking data to a first tracking dataset to create matched tracking data, wherein the first tracking dataset is one of the plurality of tracking datasets;
• receiving, by the computer, first response tracking data based on detection of the response tracking indicator, wherein the response tracking data includes the survey identifier along with additional information, and wherein the survey identifier is encoded in the response tracking indicator, and wherein the response tracking indicator is configured to be detected;
• matching, by the computer and based upon, the survey identifier, the first tracking dataset with the response tracking data to create first matched tracking data;
• updating, by the computer and based upon the matching, the matched tracking data with at least a portion of the response tracking data;
• receiving, by the computer, a plurality of response tracking data, wherein each response tracking data is based on detection of a response tracking indicator associated with the survey identifier and includes the survey identifier along with additional information, and wherein the survey identifier is encoded in each response tracking indicator on the survey solicitations such that each response tracking indicator is configured to be detected;
• updating, by the computer, the matched tracking data by matching the plurality of response tracking data with a tracking dataset associated with the survey identifier;
• determining, by the computer and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of first times each comprising a date and time a respective survey solicitation in the plurality of survey solicitations was sent to a respective respondent;
• determining, by the computer and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of second times each comprising a date and time a respective survey solicitation was delivered to a respective respondent;
• determining, by the computer and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of third times each comprising a date and time a respective survey response was picked up from a respective respondent;
• determining, by the computer and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of fourth times each comprising a date and time a respective survey response was received at a response destination;
• calculating, by the computer, a first survey statistic in a plurality of survey statistics as a difference in the plurality of the third times and the respective second times;
• calculating, by the computer, a second survey statistic in the plurality of survey statistics as a difference in the plurality of fourth times and the respective third times;
• and
• formulating, by the computer, at least one of a product strategy and a marketing strategy based upon at least one of the first survey statistic and the second survey statistic.

A survey tracking system comprising:

• a network interface communicating with a memory;
• the memory communicating with a processor for conducting a survey;
• and
• the processor, when executing a computer program for conducting a survey, performs operations comprising:
• receiving, by the processor, first distribution tracking data from a service provider, wherein the distribution tracking data includes a survey identifier along with additional information and the distribution tracking data is based upon detection of a first distribution tracking indicator, wherein a plurality of survey solicitations are registered in a tracking database comprising a plurality of tracking datasets each including the survey identifier, wherein each distribution tracking identifier is configured to be detected, and wherein the survey identifier is associated with a plurality of distribution tracking indicators and a plurality of response tracking indicators, and wherein the plurality of response tracking indicators is each associated with a survey response;
• matching, by the processor and based upon the survey identifier, the first distribution tracking data to a first tracking dataset to create matched tracking data, wherein the first tracking dataset is one of the plurality of tracking datasets;
• receiving, by the processor, first response tracking data based on detection of the response tracking indicator, wherein the response tracking data includes the survey identifier along with additional information, and wherein the survey identifier is encoded in the response tracking indicator, and wherein the response tracking indicator is configured to be detected;
• matching, by the processor and based upon the survey identifier, the first tracking dataset with the response tracking data to create first matched tracking data;
• updating, by the processor and based upon the matching, the matched tracking data with at least a portion of the response tracking data;
• receiving, by the processor, a plurality of response tracking data, wherein each response tracking data is based on detection of a response tracking indicator associated with the survey identifier and includes the survey identifier along with additional information, and wherein the survey identifier is encoded in each response tracking indicator on the survey solicitations such that each response tracking indicator is configured to be detected;
• updating, by the processor, the matched tracking data by matching the plurality of response tracking data with a tracking dataset associated with the survey identifier;
• determining, by the processor and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of first times each comprising a date and time a respective survey solicitation in the plurality of survey solicitations was sent to a respective respondent;
• determining, by the processor and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of second times each comprising a date and time a respective survey solicitation was delivered to a respective respondent;
• determining, by the processor and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of third times each comprising a date and time a respective survey response was picked up from a respective respondent;
• determining, by the processor and based upon the matched tracking data, a plurality of fourth times each comprising a date and time a respective survey response was received at a response destination;
• calculating, by the processor, a first survey statistic in a plurality of survey statistics as a difference in the plurality of the third times and the respective second times;
• calculating, by the processor, a second survey statistic in the plurality of survey statistics as a difference in the plurality of fourth times and the respective third times;
• and
• formulating, by the processor, at least one of a product strategy and a marketing strategy based upon at least one of the first survey statistic and the second survey statistic.