Producer Price Index Unser Survey

David M. Friedman
Assistant Commissioner
Industrial Prices & Price Indexes
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Help us improve the Producer Price Index (PPI) program to better meet your needs!  

The Producer Price Index (PPI) program focuses on the average change in selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services. PPI 
measures price change from the perspective of the seller. Also, as you may know, there is a family of indexes covering different industries; different 
product lines and categories; commodity classifications; and three stages of processing including finished goods; intermediate materials, supplies, 
and components; and crude materials for further processing. We are interested in feedback on any of these indexes or even if you have never used 
PPI data. 

If you have any questions, you may e­mail us at [email protected] or call us at (202) 691­7705. Thank you in advance for your help. 

To begin the survey, click the 'Next' button on the bottom of this page. You can navigate within the survey using the "Next" and "Prev" buttons at 
the bottom of each page. 

We estimate that it will take you 10 minutes to complete the voluntary survey. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. OMB control number is 1225­0059 and expires 
11/30/2012. 

Please note that this survey is being administered by SurveyMonkey.com and resides on a server outside of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 
domain. The BLS cannot guarantee the protection of survey responses and advises against the inclusion of sensitive personal information in any 
response. 

How did you first become knowledgeable about the Producer Price Index (PPI) program
and its products?
j BLS website
k
l
m
n

Any selection, except the one noted below, or no selection will send the survey to page 3.

j Colleague or coworker
k
l
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n
j Conference
k
l
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n

j Educational course work
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n

j Industry or trade association
k
l
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n

j Media or press (print or electronic)
k
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n

j Participation in PPI monthly price survey
k
l
m
n

j Social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
k
l
m
n
j Statistical or economic publications
k
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n
j Work­related activities
k
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n

j Never heard of it prior to taking this survey This selection sends the survey to page 24.
k
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n
j Other*
k
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n

*(please specify) 

.

Price index data measure changes in prices over time. Have you ever used price index
data produced by the PPI program?

j Yes
k
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m
n
j No
k
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n

This selection will send the survey to page 5.
This selection will send the survey to page 4.

j Don't know This selection will send the survey to page 4.
k
l
m
n

If no selection is made the survey will go to page 24.

Why haven't you used Producer Price Indexes (PPIs)? (Check all that apply)
c Not familiar to me
d
e
f
g
c Difficult to use
d
e
f
g

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 24.

c Difficult to find the data I need
d
e
f
g
c Not applicable to my needs
d
e
f
g
c Not timely enough
d
e
f
g

c Other BLS data available
d
e
f
g

c Similar to data available from another (non­BLS) source
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

How frequently do you use PPI data?
j At least monthly
k
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n
j Quarterly
k
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n

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 6.

j Semiannually
k
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n

j Annually
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n

j Infrequently (i.e., less than annually)
k
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n

How do you access PPI data? (Check all that apply)

c Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey
d
e
f
g
c Department of Labor website
d
e
f
g

to page 7.

c Email subscription (BLS News Service)
d
e
f
g

c Federal statistics website (i.e., Data.gov; FEDSTATS)
d
e
f
g
c PPI information phone line
d
e
f
g

c Private subscription­based provider
d
e
f
g

c Social media (i.e., Facebook; Twitter)
d
e
f
g
c Trade association
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

How do you use PPI data? (Check all that apply)
c Classroom instruction
d
e
f
g

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 12
except
for the one selection noted below.

c General indicator of inflation
d
e
f
g

c Comparison to my input costs
d
e
f
g

c Comparison to prices charged by my company for goods/services
d
e
f
g

c Contract escalation (nominal price deflator) This selection alone or in any combination sends the survey to page 8.
d
e
f
g
c Inventory valuation
d
e
f
g

c Price trend analysis/forecasting
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

What is the approximate total dollar value of your contracts adjusted by the PPI?
(Enter whole numbers only. Do not use commas, periods, dollar signs, or any other characters or letters. If
you don't know leave the box blank.)
Whole dollar amount is:

Any entry or no entry will send the survey to page 9.

How did you learn to use the PPI for contract adjustment? (Check all that apply)
c PPI Contract Escalation Guide
d
e
f
g
c On the job training
d
e
f
g

c Training provided at a conference
d
e
f
g
c Academia
d
e
f
g

c Self taught
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 10.

Is there anything the BLS can do to better support your use of the PPI for contract
adjustment purposes? For example, provide more detailed documentation on how to use
the PPI for contract adjustment; explain how to select specific indexes to use for
adjustment; or provide seminars at conferences about the PPI and contract adjustment.

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

This selection will send the survey to page 11.
This selection will send the survey to page 12.
If no selection is made the survey will go to page 12.

Please describe what BLS can do to better support your use of the PPI for contract
adjustment purposes.
5

6  

Any entry or no entry will send the survey to page 12.

Are you familiar with the classification systems used by the PPI program?
l

Stage of processing ­­ WPUSOP or WPSSOP

l

Industry ­­ PCU

l

Commodity ­­ WPU or WPS

l

Durability of product ­­ DUR

l

Materials and supply inputs to construction industry ­­ BCON, BMNR, BMRP, BMRS, BNCS, BNEW,
BNIS, BNON, BONS, BRES

l

Experimental aggregation ­­ FD, ID5, or ID6

j Yes This selection will send the survey to page 13.
k
l
m
n
j No
k
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m
n

This selection will send the survey to page 14.
If no selection is made the survey goes to page 14.

Please indicate below whether you have or have not used a price index from one of the
following categories.
Stage of processing 

Have used

Have not used

Not sure

j
k
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m
n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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j
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j
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j
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j
k
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j
k
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n

j
k
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j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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j
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j
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

(i.e., finished, intermediate, and crude goods indexes. These indexes would have a 
Series ID starting with WPUSOP or WPSSOP)
Industry  
(data organized by NAICS. These indexes would have a Series ID starting with PCU)
Commodity  
(data organized by type of good or service. These indexes would have a Series ID 
starting with WPU or WPS)
Durability of product  
(These indexes would have a Series ID starting with DUR)
Materials and supply inputs to construction industry  
(These indexes would have a Series ID starting with BCON, BMNR, BMRP, BMRS, 
BNCS, BNEW, BNIS, BNON, BONS, or BRES)
Experimental aggregation  
(i.e., final demand or intermediate demand indexes. These indexes would have a 
Series ID starting with FD, ID5, or ID6)

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 14.

For which of the following economic areas do you use PPI data? (Check all that apply)

c Agriculture (including Forestry and Fishing) Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey
d
e
f
g

to page 15.

c Utilities
d
e
f
g
c Mining
d
e
f
g

c Manufacturing
d
e
f
g
c Construction
d
e
f
g

c Trade (wholesale or retail margins)
d
e
f
g
c Transportation and warehousing
d
e
f
g
c Information
d
e
f
g
c Health care
d
e
f
g
c Finance
d
e
f
g

c Telecommunication
d
e
f
g
c Broadcasting
d
e
f
g
c Publishing
d
e
f
g

c Real Estate
d
e
f
g

c Professional services
d
e
f
g
c Other services
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

Do you use seasonally adjusted PPI data?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 16.

j Don't know
k
l
m
n

PPI indexes are subject to revision four months after the date of initial publication. When
you use PPI index data, do you use the originally published data (preliminary data), or do
you wait four months to see if the data are revised (final data), and then use revised data?
j Preliminary data (originally published/first release)
k
l
m
n
j Final data (possibly revised after 4 months)
k
l
m
n
j Use both preliminary and final data
k
l
m
n
j Don't know
k
l
m
n
j Other*
k
l
m
n

*(please specify) 

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 17.

How satisfied are you with the PPI policy of revising indexes four months after initial
publication?
j Very satisfied
k
l
m
n
j Satisfied
k
l
m
n
j Neutral
k
l
m
n

The selection of 'Dissatisfied' or 'Very dissatisfied' will send the survey to page 18.
All other selections will send the survey to page 19.

j Dissatisfied
k
l
m
n

j Very dissatisfied
k
l
m
n
j Don't know
k
l
m
n

Please explain why you are dissatisfied with the PPI policy of revising indexes four
months after initial publication.
5

6  

Any entry or no entry will send the survey to page 19.

Would you like to see additional economic areas covered by the PPI?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

This selection will send the survey to page 20.
This selection will send the survey to page 21.

j Don't know This selection will send the survey to page 21.
k
l
m
n

If no selection is made the survey will go to page 21.

What additional areas would you like to see covered? (Check all that apply)
c Professional, scientific, and technical services
d
e
f
g
c Education
d
e
f
g

c Computer systems design
d
e
f
g

c Lessors of residential buildings
d
e
f
g

c Highway, street, and bridge construction
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 21.

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly 
agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly 
disagree

NO OPINION

PPI data are of high quality

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

The publication frequency (monthly) of PPI data is 

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

The level of detail for PPI data is sufficient for my needs

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

The PPI methodology is understandable

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Information on PPI methodology is easily available

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

I can easily retrieve PPI data from the PPI website

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

PPI data are organized in an easy to understand manner

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

The 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQs) section of the 

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

satisfactory

website addresses most of my questions

If you replied 'Disagree' or 'Strongly disagree' to any of the statements above please
provide any comments regarding your reply.
5

6  

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 22.

Have you ever attempted to contact PPI staff?

j Yes This selection will send the survey to page 23.
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

This selection will send the survey to page 24.

If no selection is made the survey will go to page 24.

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements based on your
interactions with the PPI staff?
Strongly agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly disagree

I can easily contact someone in the PPI program

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
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n

j
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n

PPI staff are knowledgeable

j
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n

j
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n

j
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j
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j
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n

PPI staff reply in a timely manner

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
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n

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 24.

What other BLS data do you use or have you used? (Check all that apply)
c U.S. Import and Export Price Index
d
e
f
g
c Consumer Price Index
d
e
f
g

c Employment Cost Index
d
e
f
g

c The Employment Situation (includes unemployment rate and payroll employment)
d
e
f
g
c Productivity and Costs
d
e
f
g
c Real Earnings
d
e
f
g
c Other*
d
e
f
g

*(please specify) 

Any selection, combination of selections, or no selection will send the survey to page 25.

The PPI program is considering developing an informational webinar or computer­based
training module that provides a general overview of the PPI. How interested would you, or
your organization be in something like this?
j Very interested
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat interested
k
l
m
n
j A little interested
k
l
m
n

j Not at all interested
k
l
m
n

Are you interested in training on specific PPI topics? If yes, please specify.
5

6  

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 26.

Are there any products (indexes, publications, etc.) that you would be interested in seeing
produced by the PPI program or any other comments you would like to provide? If so,
please enter below.
5

6  

Any entry or no entry will send the survey to page 27.

Which category best describes your organization? (Check only one)
j Academia
k
l
m
n

j Business This selection will send the survey to page 30.
k
l
m
n

j Federal government (excluding legislative branch) This selection will send the survey to page 28.
k
l
m
n

j Congress
k
l
m
n

j State government
k
l
m
n

j Local government
k
l
m
n

j Foreign government This selection will send the survey to page 28.
k
l
m
n
j Individual/private citizen
k
l
m
n

j Industry/trade association
k
l
m
n

j International organization
k
l
m
n
j Library
k
l
m
n
j Media
k
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m
n

j Non­profit organization
k
l
m
n
j Union
k
l
m
n

j Other*
k
l
m
n

*(please specify) 

Any selection other than those specified above will send the survey to page 31.

Is your organization primarily a statistical agency?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

This selection will send the survey to page 29.
This selection will send the survey to page 31.

j Don't know This selection will send the survey to page 31.
k
l
m
n

If no selection is made the survey will go to page 31.

Which statistical agency are you affiliated with? (Check only one)
j U.S. Census Bureau
k
l
m
n

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 31.

j U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
k
l
m
n
j U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
k
l
m
n
j U.S. Energy Information Administration
k
l
m
n
j USDA Economic Research Service
k
l
m
n
j USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
k
l
m
n

j U.S. National Center for Education Statistics
k
l
m
n
j U.S. National Center for Health Statistics
k
l
m
n
j Other U.S. statistical agency
k
l
m
n
j Non­U.S. statistical agency
k
l
m
n

What is the size of your business based on annual revenue?
j Less than $1 million
k
l
m
n

Any selection or no selection will send the survey to page 31.

j Between $1 million and $5 million
k
l
m
n

j Between $5 million and $10 million
k
l
m
n

j Between $10 million and $50 million
k
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m
n

j Between $50 million and $100 million
k
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n

j Between $100 million and $500 million
k
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m
n
j More than $500 million
k
l
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n
j Do not know
k
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m
n

Which best describes your role/occupation in your organization? (Check only one)
j Accountant
k
l
m
n

j Business owner
k
l
m
n

This is the last question. Any selection or no selection will send the survey to a 'Thank You'
page.

j Controller/Finance officer
k
l
m
n
j Economist
k
l
m
n
j Lawyer
k
l
m
n

j Manager
k
l
m
n

j Purchasing agent
k
l
m
n

j Private individual
k
l
m
n
j Researcher
k
l
m
n
j Sales staff
k
l
m
n

j Statistician
k
l
m
n
j Student
k
l
m
n

j Teacher/Professor
k
l
m
n
j Other*
k
l
m
n

*(please specify)