You can create a project template to preserve all of the files and settings for a specific UNICOM Intelligence project that can be used again in the future. Project templates can include survey files (.mdd), quota, sample, and layout templates. A project template can also include the activation file, which stores all of the project activation settings, configured for deployment to an interviewing player.

Project templates help you work more efficiently by minimizing repetition while leveraging projects that have already been optimized and proven. You might currently have a project that is used numerous times (for example, as a tracker), and have taken the time to tune the document and change the numerous activation settings that will be applied when the project is deployed to a server (and/or locally). The project might also have consistent quota totals. A project template would enable you to perform basic construction and configuration of a project once; the project template would then be available for redeployment as needed.

When a project template is configured, and selected to be used for a new project in UNICOM Intelligence Author or UNICOM Intelligence Professional, the .mdd file that is stored in the template populates the authoring tool you are working in. Once the Activation dialog is opened, the template's activation settings are displayed, and Quota and Participants information (within the Activation interface) are updated based on the template's stored quota and sample files. When activated, all of the files and settings are carried over to the server or cluster to which the project is deployed.

Project templates can also be updated. A survey might require additional questions or categories, different call times might be required to satisfy field constraints, an so on. You can save these changes back to the original template, or create a new template if you have typical variations.