SurveyCTO Version Control Tool with AI Agent
Streamline your survey deployments with intelligent version control the Github commit message
way.
By Aubrey Jolex | December 12, 2025
AJ Impact Evaluation Consulting has designed and programmed complex SurveyCTO survey instruments incorporating advanced logic, real-time validation checks, and quality monitoring. Beyond
programming, the team understands the full survey lifecycle: ensuring instruments align with research
objectives, piloting, managing enumerator training, and troubleshooting implementation challenges.
But tracking changes across survey iterations? That was always the hardest part.
To address this challenge, AJ Impact developed the SurveyCTO Version Control tool with optional AI Agent—a Google Sheets Add-on that streamlines deployment management with one-click redirect form submission to SurveyCTO server and intelligent change logging.
Key Features
🚀 One-Click Deployment
Deploy your form directly from Google Sheets to the SurveyCTO server or console with a single click.
🔒 Version Locking
The tool freezes the version number in your settings sheet to prevent version misalignment between deployed forms.
📋 History Logging
Records every deployment in the Version History sheet with complete audit trails.
The SurveyCTO Version
Control menu integrates directly into Google Sheets
Check Out the Tool
The SurveyCTO Version Control tool is available on GitHub. Star the repo
and contribute!
The AI Agent: Your Smart Documentation Assistant
Don’t want to write deployment logs manually? Let the AI Agent do it for you.
✨ Ask Agent to Summarize
- Click this button in the deployment popup
- Agent compares current form against last deployed version
- Generates professional, human-readable summary
⏱️ Before: Manual Tracking
- 15+ minutes documenting each deployment
- Risk of missing important changes
- Inconsistent formatting across team members
Instead of spending 15 minutes documenting what changed, the Agent tells you:
“Updated question labels, added skip logic to Q7, removed Q12″—done.
The AI Agent
automatically detects and summarizes form changes
Why This Matters
In research, transparency is everything.
RCTs, pilot studies, iterative design
cycles—they all demand a clear audit trail. This tool makes that effortless.
Every successful impact evaluation relies on well-documented survey instruments. When you’re managing complex RCTs across multiple sites and iterations, knowing exactly what changed between versions isn’t just convenient—it’s essential for maintaining research integrity.
The Full Survey Lifecycle
This tool was built from real-world experience across the entire survey lifecycle—from design through implementation. Complex instruments. Real-world constraints. Tools that actually solve problems.
Design
Ensuring instruments align with research objectives
Pilot Testing
Iterating based on field feedback
Training
Managing enumerator training and protocols
Implementation
Troubleshooting real-world challenges
Complete Survey Deployment
Management
From version control to
AI-powered change summaries—all in one Google Sheets Add-on
Version Control
Track Version, Deployed By, Timestamp, and Message for every
single deploy
Snapshots
The system quietly keeps track of your form’s state for precise
comparison
AI Summaries
Professional change logs generated automatically by the AI Agent
Choose between manual
logging or AI-powered summaries
How It Works
Step 1: Open Your Form
Open your SurveyCTO form spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
Step 2: Deploy Form
Click the SurveyCTO Version Control menu → 🚀 Deploy Form.
Step 3: Choose Your Mode
Manual: Type your own message and hit Enter.
Agent: Click ✨ Ask Agent to Summarize.
Step 4: Complete Deployment
Click Proceed to SurveyCTO to finish the actual deployment in the SurveyCTO server.
Every deployment is
logged with version, timestamp, and change message
Survey Expertise for Your RCTs
This comprehensive survey experience and tool-building capability positions AJ Impact well for developing and managing survey instruments for RCTs. Whether you need:
Complex Survey Programming
Advanced logic, real-time validation checks, and quality monitoring built into your instruments.
Deployment Management
Streamlined version control and transparent change tracking across all survey iterations.
Get in Touch
Managing survey deployments at scale? AJ Impact is ready to help
research teams streamline their data collection workflows.
Ready to Streamline Your Survey Deployments?
Explore the tool and connect for a consultation
View the Tool
Check out the SurveyCTO Version Control tool on GitHub. Star the repo and contribute!
Free Consultation
Need help with survey programming or deployment management? Schedule a free consultation to discuss your
needs.
More Resources
Explore our blog for more guides on impact evaluation, RCT design, and survey methodology.
About the Author
Aubrey Jolex is the founder of AJ Impact Evaluation Consulting, specializing in rigorous impact evaluation for development programs. With 7+ years of experience with leading research organizations such as IPA, IFPRI and IITA, Aubrey has designed complex survey instruments and managed data collection across multiple countries.
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