MERLIN MOBILE CANvassing app

the case for an app- paper-based canvassing is inefficient, time consuming and not interactive

- voter data captured is less rich, and more prone to human error

- canvass sheets are hand-written and then keyed back into merlin

- data is slow to reach the centre, and slow to reach the field

- smartphone penetration will be 74% by 2015 [probably higher among activists]

- participation can be measured and controlled (re. candidates)

merlin user complaints- “the software is creakingly slow, buggy and not remotely intuitive”

- “electoral roll updates are irregular and infrequent”

- “activists regularly knock on doors to find the resident is not as described”

- “updating information is arbitrary, with no obvious fields on canvas sheets”

- “it takes a long time to train anyone, also very acronym heavy”

- “the complexity and bad design mean we are constantly calling the help desk”

- “papers can get mislaid, forgotten about, left in a drawer etc”

current merlin data flow

voter listcompiled

sheets printed& distributed

canvassersknock up

canvass sheets returned

sit in agent’sin-tray

input to merlin terminal

- software dates back to the 1980s & requires regular tech support

- data entry is “clunky” and counter-intuitive

- widespread complaints from end users

current merlin data flow

voter listcompiled

sheets printed& distributed

canvassersknock up

canvass sheets returned

sit in agent’sin-tray

input to merlin terminal

- make most effective use of field resources

- help agents manage field ops

- help activists canvass in unfamiliar areas

helping you win 40/40

app data flow

canvassersknock up

enter returnson street

app installedon mobile

automatically uploaded

- canvass data & engagement returned in real-time

- voter mapping

- walks activist through relevant talking points

- opportunities for automated follow-up actions

- user-friendly, web-based agent dashboard

- dashboard monitors & flags voter issues

CANVASSING

- allows better allocation of in-field resources

- makes polling station telling interactive

- agent can see real-time heat map

- push notification messages to volunteers

- incentivise / reward activity

GET OUT THE VOTE

voter map issue tracker follow up action

app functionality

privacy & security- agent authorises app users via text or email

- data accessibility time-limited

- app can be remote-wiped

- device location when using app always available

- full AUDIT TRAIL

Time estimates- scoping: 1 week on site, 2 weeks off site

- contract specification & sign-off: 3 weeks

- build and test: 10 weeks

beta version In the field within 3 months

- reiteration and field testing: 10 weeks

final version In the field within 6 months

- these are conservative estimates

future development- fully extract database from merlin

- rebuild database to be big data ready

- augment database with big data

- integrate email, mailshots and real-time advertising data that follows user

- enhanced voter engagement tracking

- phone / Street stall canvass from within the app

MERLIN MOBILE CANvassing app

paperless data collection

quicker and less prone to error

cheaper, faster and easier

more data, better quality data

will please activists