I used to work on a CATI system (DOS-based) that allowed supervisors to release cases for calling through an override mechanism. That is, the calling algorithm had certain rules that kept cases out of the calling queue at certain times. The main thing was if something had been called and was a "ring-no-answer," then the system wouldn't allow it to be called (i.e. placed in the calling queue) until 4 hours had passed. But supervisors could override this and release cases for calling on a case-by-case basis. This was handy -- when sample ran out, supervisors could release more cases that didn't fall within the calling parameters. This kept interviewers busy dialing.
Recently, I've started to think about the other side of such practices. That is, it is more difficult to specify the protocol that should be applied when these exceptions are allowed. Obviously, if the protocol is not calling a case less than four hours after a ring-no-answer, then the software explicitly allows deviations from that protocol.
But there can be other kinds of deviations as well. For example, if I want every case to get exactly two calls, then this kind of software feature might also undercut that protocol specification. That might seem very specific, but especially with such a low call limit, being able to set and keep that protocol might have important implications.
I can see arguments for allowing these exceptions, but I'm also starting to see good reasons not to allow them.
Recently, I've started to think about the other side of such practices. That is, it is more difficult to specify the protocol that should be applied when these exceptions are allowed. Obviously, if the protocol is not calling a case less than four hours after a ring-no-answer, then the software explicitly allows deviations from that protocol.
But there can be other kinds of deviations as well. For example, if I want every case to get exactly two calls, then this kind of software feature might also undercut that protocol specification. That might seem very specific, but especially with such a low call limit, being able to set and keep that protocol might have important implications.
I can see arguments for allowing these exceptions, but I'm also starting to see good reasons not to allow them.
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