Introduction to Inspection Templates
The CSDatum Map stores an asset's data within the Asset Info Screen. That data, however, is just a snapshot in time. Inspection Templates provide a method to perform an inspection and capture up-to-date information. After you perform an inspection, the inspection data is instantly available to use in performance metrics, system analysis, or to plan future work.
Generic Inspection Templates
The CSDatum Map has built-in generic inspection templates to use for any asset in the database. This template allows you to enter any inspection data that you want as you progress through the inspection.
Create an Custom Inspection Template
You can also create custom inspection templates to capture specific inspection data during each inspection. Once created and saved, the inspection template is available for use in the field and can be filled out using a mobile phone or tablet. In addition, an inspection template can be modified at any time.
To create a custom inspection template, begin by navigating to the template creator using either of the following two methods shown below:
Method 1
⋮ Menu > Templates > Create
Method 2
Click an Asset > View Data > Inspections > Start Inspection > Manage Templates > Create
Begin by entering a title for the inspection template. In the example screenshots below, the inspection template is for traffic control signs.
Next, add the assets that the inspection template can be used for. To add asset types, click Add Asset Type. Then, select the Layer and Asset. Click Add.
To delete an asset that has already been added, click the Trash Can.
Click Build to advance to the next step
Inspection Data
The next screen, called Inspection Data (not shown) cannot be changed because it simply captures the inspector’s name, date, and weather conditions at the time of inspection. Click Next to continue.
Components
The inspection template consists of one or more Components. A component is a grouping of similar inspection data. Think of each component as one page in an inspection form.
Within each component is one or more Inputs. Inputs are the individual inspection questions. Inputs can collect data in different formats: text, number, or drop-down selection.
The Menu screen displays the components of the inspection template that you are building. Click Next to begin.
Note that the form shows when the template was last saved using the Last Modified indicator.
The next screen, called Inspection Data (not shown) cannot be changed because it simply captures the inspector’s name, date, and weather conditions at the time of inspection. Click Next to continue.
Begin building the first inspection component by giving it a title. In the example to the right, the component title is Sign Post.
The component can have an overall Condition Type rating, or choose None for no condition rating.
In order to add inputs, click Add Another Input. In the example, three inputs have been added to the Sign Post component.
Describe the Surrounding Area
Presence of Rust
Evidence of Damage
The width of the input is controlled by the 50% / 100% dropdown
The inputs can be reordered using the Arrow buttons
Single-Select and Multi-Select answers are added with the Gear button
Once this component is complete, choose to Add Another Component, or click Next
Overall Condition
After adding all components, Click Next to advance to the Overall Condition. The Overall Condition can be used or set to None. This page also shows all the components that have been added to the inspection template in the Component Summary.
In the example, three components were created:
Sign Post
Sign Face
Retroreflectivity
Inspector Recommendations
The final screen is for Inspector Recommendations. Adding Recommendation Suggestions is optional, but can be helpful to keep recommendations consistent. Inspectors will always be able to enter their own unique recommendations while performing an inspection.
Click Save and then Close.
Publish the Inspection Template
The inspection template just created is in an unpublished status and cannot be used by inspectors. To make the template live, click Up Arrow near the Open button and then choose Publish.
Once the inspection template is published it cannot be modified. This preserves its format for any inspections that were performed using that template.
To change the template, Copy the template, make updates, and Save. When it’s ready to be used, Publish the new template and Archive the old one.
Once published, the inspection template is available to use under the inspection panel.