Creating an Active list off an custom Object record being created

[LBeer7]

I'm looking to create a report that tracks the date a contact becomes associated with a custom object. Since a contact can be linked to multiple custom object records, I want to avoid creating numerous properties and workflows.

The most effective solution I've found so far is to use active lists. By creating an active list that captures when a contact is associated with a specific event (via the custom object), I can then use list performance data to analySe growth over time.

Ideally, whenever a new custom object record is created, a corresponding active list would also be generated to begin collecting data from that point forward.

[OJ_ONT · Accepted solution]

Ok, just playing it back to you:

1. a contact can be associated to multiple custom object records.
2. These custom objects appear to be events?
3. You want the date of the association to be logged.

It would help to know a little more about why you want to do this. E.g. Is it for reporting, lead scoring, or are you trying to drive a downstream process?

Using lists could work, but there are limits on how many you can have. Sooner or later you will hit that limit.

If it were me I would create another custom object called something like 'Interactions'. An interaction can be associated with a contact and your original custom object. I'll call this 'OriginalObject' for clarity...

Simply update your workflow that currently associates a contact with an OriginalObject. When this happens you should create a new 'Interaction' with a unique identifier for the contact and the OriginalObject record. Then just use the create date of Interactions to drive your report / downstream activity.

[jordan_nichols · Accepted solution]

I know you mentioned not using multiple properties and workflows, but I do feel that a date field on the Custom Object Record would work here.

The record would be
- Event Name: Event A
- First Associated Date: mm.dd.yyyy


then your report could be show me a timeline of all "Event A" records and using First Associated Date.

I also agree @LBeer7 that another Custom Object would work as well and would give you even the option for greater insight, but if you wanted a more straightforward approach, here it is!

[OJ_ONT · Accepted solution]

Ok, just playing it back to you:

1. a contact can be associated to multiple custom object records.
2. These custom objects appear to be events?
3. You want the date of the association to be logged.

It would help to know a little more about why you want to do this. E.g. Is it for reporting, lead scoring, or are you trying to drive a downstream process?

Using lists could work, but there are limits on how many you can have. Sooner or later you will hit that limit.

If it were me I would create another custom object called something like 'Interactions'. An interaction can be associated with a contact and your original custom object. I'll call this 'OriginalObject' for clarity...

Simply update your workflow that currently associates a contact with an OriginalObject. When this happens you should create a new 'Interaction' with a unique identifier for the contact and the OriginalObject record. Then just use the create date of Interactions to drive your report / downstream activity.

[LBeer7]

Hi, apologies for the lack of detail in my original message!

You're absolutely right, we're trying to track when contacts become associated with a custom Events object during the lead-up to the event. The goal is to measure interest over time and compare engagement with previous years’ events (e.g. how many contacts were associated and when).

I hadn’t actually considered using a separate custom object like "Interactions" but that could be a really good approach. My only hesitation is whether it's over-engineering things a bit just to generate a couple of reports.