Making Great Surveys for Iowans

Before any survey is published, it must go through a review and approval process. This process helps ensure we create high-quality surveys for the State of Iowa. 

This page provides step-by-step instructions for survey creators on how your request will be reviewed and processed.

Review

  • As part of the review process, you'll be asked to complete the Choose Your Survey Review Journey form. In this form, allows you to select one of the following two review paths:
    • Comprehensive Review (Full Service)

      • Best for:
        • Public-facing or constituent-focused surveys
        • Projects needing high-quality, accessible, and secure forms
        • Creators that want expert guidance throughout the process
      • Includes:
        • Accessibility Review – Evaluates the ExpertReview, paragraph styling, help text, alternative text, and other related elements for alignment with accessibility requirements.
        • Theming Review – Ensures visual consistency and alignment with State of Iowa branding standards
        • Methodology Review – Provides expert guidance to strengthen survey design and data quality
        • Security Review – Assesses data protection measures and compliance with security requirements
        • Agency Approver – Must be approved by an authorized agency designee
        • Configuration Support – Tailors platform features, automation, and distribution settings to meet your project’s specific needs. Helps us understand your requirements so we can ensure the right setup and support from the start.
        • Project Visibility – Provides agency approvers with a clear understanding of your project’s objectives, planned actions, and intended outcomes.
        • Agency Enhanced Reporting – With increased data collection, it enables richer Qualtrics metrics, clearer insights, and dashboard integration for agency and executive reporting.
    • The guide, Creating Great Surveys and Forms for Iowans, is a valuable resource that walks you through key considerations and helps you prepare for the full-service review process.
  • Streamlined Review (Express Lane)

    • Best for:
      • Internal or low-risk surveys
      • Agencies with their own internal review processes
      • Quick, straightforward implementations
    • Includes:
      • Security Review – Assesses data protection measures and compliance with security requirements
      • Agency Approver – Must be approved by an authorized agency designee
  • Regardless of your review path, the DOM DoIT Service Delivery team provides additional behind-the-scenes protections when appropriate.
    • These may include setting up surveys under secure service accounts, applying sensitive data exemptions, and managing the survey’s lifespan to support long-term security and proper data handling.

Approve

  • Your agency’s designated approver(s), appointed by executive leadership, are responsible for reviewing and final approving of surveys.
  • Their approval confirms that each survey aligns with the agency’s goals and provides visibility into all surveys being developed within the platform.

Dashboards (coming very soon)

The Review and Approval process includes several dashboards that support different roles. These dashboards help you see publish requests, track progress, and understand the steps needed to move surveys through approval efficiently.

Review and Approval Dashboard

This dashboard shows an overview of surveys that are currently in review, their status, and any actions that still need to be completed. It helps users track progress and keep the approval process moving smoothly. To view the dashboard, you must be logged in to Qualtrics. If you still cannot access it, please submit a ServiceDesk Plus request for assistance.

Agency Approver(s) Dashboard

This dashboard is designed for designated agency‑level approvers. It provides access to surveys awaiting review, allowing approvers to complete required checks and move surveys forward.  It helps users track progress and keep the approval process moving smoothly. To view the dashboard, you must be logged in to Qualtrics. If you still cannot access it, please submit a ServiceDesk Plus request for assistance. 

1

Build and Edit

User types with edit and creator access can build and modify surveys. Refer to the Understanding User Types in Qualtrics article for detailed access points.

2

Request

Click the Publish button.

A red arrow points to a blue "Publish" button in a web interface.

Select jessica.vanheuveln@dom.iowa.gov from the Approver dropdown list. 

Add approval notes that will assist in the approval process. 

Click on Request Approval.

A "Publish and activate survey" window, indicating that approval is required. A red arrow points to the "Select approver" dropdown menu. A red box highlights the "Approval notes" text field, and another red arrow points to the blue "Request approval" button in the bottom-right corner.

After you click Request Approval, you will receive an email prompting you to complete the Choose Your Survey Review Journey form. 

A screen shot of Choose Your Survey Review Journey Form.

Once the form is submitted, the review and approval process will begin.

3

Review

Reviewers: The Qualtrics + IA - Security & Quality Team.

The items that need to be reviewed will vary depending on whether you choose the comprehensive or streamlined review process.

4

Approve

Approver: Your agency’s designated approver(s), appointed by executive leadership.

AcronymAgency NameDivisionNameEmailRole
DASDepartment of Administrative ServicesAllNathan Reckmannathan.reckman@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DASDepartment of Administrative ServicesAllMary McGrawmary.mcgraw@iowa.govSecondary Approver
DIALDepartment of Inspections, Appeals, & LicensingAllStephanie Jacksonstephanie.jackson@dia.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DIALDepartment of Inspections, Appeals, & LicensingAllStefanie Bondstefanie.bond@dia.iowa.govSecondary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIIDChance McElhaneychance.mcelhaney@iid.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIDOBChance McElhaneychance.mcelhaney@iid.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIDCUChance McElhaneychance.mcelhaney@iid.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIIDCraig Robinsoncraig.robinson@iid.iowa.govSecondary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIDOBCraig Robinsoncraig.robinson@iid.iowa.govSecondary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIDCUCraig Robinsoncraig.robinson@iid.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIIDJess Gingerichjessica.gingerich@iid.iowa.govBackup Approver
DIFSDepartment of Insurance and Financial ResourcesIIDMersida Bacinovicmersida.bacinovic@iid.iowa.govBackup Approver
DNRDepartment of Natural ResourcesAllAlex Moonalex.moon@dnr.iowa.govBackup Approver
DNRDepartment of Natural ResourcesAllAmanda Ewingamanda.ewing@dnr.iowa.govSecondary Approver
DNRDepartment of Natural ResourcesAllTammie Krausmantammie.krausman@dnr.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOCDepartment of CorrectionsAllHeather BellHeather.Bell@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOCDepartment of CorrectionsAllLaura Scheffertlaura.scheffert@iowa.govSecondary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationOffice of Chief of StaffJohn Elkinjohn.elkin@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationOffice of Chief Operating OfficerBryce Amosbryce.amos@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationPK-12 Learning DivisionTina Wahlerttina.wahlert@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationSpecial Education Division - CentralLeisa Breitfelderleisa.breitfelder@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationSpecial Education Division - RegionalAngelisa Fynaardtangelisa.fynaardt@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationTeacher Quality & Innovation DivisionJay Penningtonjay.pennington@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationHigher Education and Postsecondary Readiness Division: Iowa College AidDavid Forddavid.ford@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationHigher Education and Postsecondary Readiness Division:  Community Colleges &  CTE Postsecondary ReadinessAmy Giesekeamy.gieseke@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOEDepartment of EducationChief Financial Officer DivisionSandy Hurtado-Peterssandra.hurtado-peters1@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOMDepartment of ManagementAllHerb Suttonherb.sutton@dom.iowa.govPrimary Approver
DOTDepartment of TransportationAllDave Putzdavid.putz@iowadot.usPrimary Approver
DPDDepartment of Public DefenseArmy National GuardWilliam Mcclintockwilliam.f.mcclintock2.mil@army.milPrimary Approver
DPDDepartment of Public DefenseAir National GuardMark Muckeymark.muckey@us.af.milPrimary Approver
DPDDepartment of Public DefenseHuman ResourcesRandall Stanfordrandall.t.stanford.mil@army.milPrimary Approver
DPDDepartment of Public DefenseComptrollerKristin Davenportkristin.davenport@iowa.govPrimary Approver
DPSDepartment of Public SafetyAllJim Wittenwylerwittenwy@dps.state.ia.usPrimary Approver
DPSDepartment of Public SafetyAllBryant Strousestrouse@dps.state.ia.usSecondary Approver
DVADepartment of Veteran AffairsAllNathan Wilsonnathan.wilson@ivh.state.ia.usPrimary Approver
HHSHealth & Human ServicesAllRob Stewartrobert.stewart@hhs.iowa.govPrimary Approver
HHSHealth & Human ServicesAllShawn HeadShawn.Head@hhs.iowa.govSecondary Approver
HSEMDHomeland Security and Emergency ManagementResponseZac Ellisonzachary.ellison@iowa.govPrimary Approver
HSEMDHomeland Security and Emergency ManagementRecoveryDennis Harperdennis.harper@iowa.govPrimary Approver
HSEMDHomeland Security and Emergency ManagementExecutiveLarry Gioffredilarry.gioffredi@iowa.govPrimary Approver
IBOPIowa Board of ParoleALLSaskia Schweitzersaskia.schweitzer2@iowa.govPrimary Approver
ICNIowa Communications NetworkAllLori Larsenlori.larsen@iowa.govPrimary Approver
IDBIowa Department for the BlindAllConnie Mendenhallconnie.mendenhall@blind.state.ia.usPrimary Approver
IDBIowa Department for the BlindAllStacy Cervenkastacy.cervenka@blind.state.ia.usSecondary Approver
IDRIowa Department of RevenueAllAlex Vongnhayalexander.vongnhay@iowa.govPrimary Approver
IDRIowa Department of RevenueAllJerika Pellingtonjerika.pellington@iowa.govSecondary Approver
IDRIowa Department of RevenueAllAli Kalawadhali.kalawadh@iowa.govBackup Approver
IECDBIowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure BoardAllErika Eckleyerika.eckley2@iowa.govPrimary Approver
IEDA & IFAIowa Economic Development Authority & Iowa Finance AuthorityAllStaci Ballardstaci.ballard@iowaeda.comPrimary Approver
IGOVGovernor of the State of IowaAllHerb Suttonherb.sutton@dom.iowa.govPrimary Approver
ILEAIowa Law Enforcement AcademyAllSherry Poolesherry.poole@iowa.govPrimary Approver
ILEAIowa Law Enforcement AcademyAllKathryn Fukudakathryn.fukuda@iowa.govSecondary Approver
IPERSIowa Public EmployeesAllRachel Simonrachel.simon@ipers.orgPrimary Approver
IPERSIowa Public EmployeesAllShawna LodeShawna.lode@ipers.orgSecondary Approver
IPIBIowa Public Information BoardAllCharlotte J.M. Millercharlotte.miller@iowa.govPrimary Approver
IUCIowa Utilities CommissionAllNichol Toomirenichol.toomire@iuc.iowa.govPrimary Approver
IWDIowa Workforce DevelopmentALLJon Peppettijon.peppetti@iwd.iowa.govPrimary Approver

The approver will receive an email containing the review details and the results of the Choose Your Survey Review Journey form as they review and approve the survey.

5

Publish

  • If your survey is approved, you’ll receive an email notification through both the Qualtrics system and the ticketing system. Once approved, the survey will be published and ready to distribute from your Qualtrics account.

  • If your survey is not approved, you’ll also receive an email explaining the decision and the reasons for the denial.