Phil Hearn: Blogger, Writer & Founder of MRDC Software Ltd.

5 problems you will face using MRDCL

Every software package has problems or could be better. MRDCL is no exception. This will be true if you use MRDCL, Merlin, Quantum, Dimensions, or any tabulation scripting system. As a specialist software package for survey data processing professionals, it will likely present users with difficulties. So, what are the biggest problems you will encounter using MRDCL?

 1. Difficulty getting started

MRDCL is a vast language for processing marketing and research data; arguably, there is no other complete system for processing and tabulating survey data. Like most scripting or programming languages, getting started can present a reasonably steep learning curve. That doesn’t make it impossible to learn, but you need to be the type of person who can handle these sorts of tools. You can test this by recording a macro in Excel by performing a few simple tasks and looking at the code it generates. Can you mostly understand what the code is doing?

Assuming you have the right mind for using a scripting language, the next hurdle is knowing where to start. Our vast video library of tutorials contains six videos that walk you through the basics you will need to master to handle most projects. Watch these videos, and you will understand how to approach a project as a first-time user.

Having seen the videos, the next challenge is to be able to write the script error-free. This can be a frustrating period during which the inevitable syntax errors you make will annoy you, but it needs to be worked through. There is, unfortunately, no substitute for practice! You can’t learn to ride a bike just by watching an instruction video. Having become proficient at this level, you are ready to progress.

   2. Learning advanced techniques

MRDCL has many advanced techniques that can improve productivity hugely. However, these advanced techniques can look complex, and there may be a fear of taking the next leap. In practice, we find that the jump from using basic MRDCL script to advanced techniques is not as big as many feared. In surveys taken after advanced training, we found that almost 90% of attendees found the training easier than expected. There’s a good reason for this. MRDCL is a logical language which makes advancement easy once the basics are learned. The language is consistent and does not have ‘black boxes’, which are cumbersome to employ or hard to understand. Further, some advanced techniques, such as EPS (Excel Productivity Scripting), may benefit many without everyone having to learn how to develop the EPS scripts from scratch.

  3. Too much choice

Another overwhelming facet of MRDCL learning is that there is often too much choice. Similar programs like Quantum may offer fewer ways of approaching tasks, whereas MRDCL may provide several alternative methodologies. However, choice is a good thing. You can have your own favourite ways of doing things, but as you acquire more knowledge, better and better methodologies can be put in place. To ensure you use the best techniques, we offer free advice on which topics to learn based on your specific needs.

  4. Uncertainty about using the best techniques

 MRDCL users often quickly realise that there are good and not-so-good ways to use the software. There is sometimes a fear that the software is not being used efficiently. We resolve this by providing a free critiquing service. We will look at your work and advise you on how to produce more efficient script where appropriate. If I look back at my skills in programming in Visual Basic many years ago, I learned as a beginner so much in one hour when someone showed me how to reduce about 200 lines of code to five efficient lines of code. However, the video library is an excellent place to learn about the most effective techniques.

  5. Understanding how data is processed in MRDCL

 Understanding how MRDCL handles data behind the scenes is something that I always encourage users to question. Once you fully understand how MRDCL works, it will give you an insight into some of the techniques that can be used to improve efficiency. For example, if you are processing a survey that collects data for each meal occasion over a week, you could process that data as, say, 7 days of up to 5 meal occasions – in other words, 35 sets of variables – or you could process the data as a specific number of meal occasions and process that data at both respondent level and meal occasion level. The latter method is far more efficient and is covered in a clear 30-minute video. Again, it’s a case of learning, but it probably takes no more than an hour or two of your time.

Our videos: improving your skills quickly

We are often asked when it is the best way to become proficient quickly. I suggest looking at the video library and choosing two or three more advanced topics that cover your areas of interest. For example, summary tables, reading two sets of data side-by-side, rim weighting, project automation, product test rotations, etc. Although you may not understand everything initially, you will start to understand the approaches you can take to deal with more complex topics. The videos are presented at a speed you can follow, with the files used in the demonstrations available for download. I should add this is not our idea – a new user of MRDCL found this a fast way to get a broader appreciation of MRDCL. Since that feedback, we have recommended this approach to other new customers.

To summarise

Learning to make the most of MRDCL is not a light undertaking, but the learning curve is rarely as steep as you may think. Watching videos, getting good training, and asking for advice can quickly lead you to success. As I often tell people in training sessions, “If you think there must be a better way of doing something, there probably is. Just ask”.