In preparing the questionnaire, the metrics used should be decided on and followed consistently. Even if automated tools are used, it is recommended that some of interviews be conducted face-to-face with the understanding that there will be iterations and opportunities to fine tune the responses. The questionnaire determines actual impacts to an organization as if it were experiencing an actual interruption.

For consistency in responses and ease of comparison:

• Describe business function being interviewed.
  Example: Negotiates and administers contracts, 10 personnel, under the deputy director, located in the Brown Building, third floor.
  
  
• Use consistent critical timing elements.
  Example: 24 hours, 2 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, more than 2 weeks.
  
  
• Use orders of magnitude for dollars, population, and other quantifiers.
  Example: $10K, $50K, $100K, $500K, $1m, $5m, etc.; minor, medium, major.