Creating Your First Inspection

Overview

Creating your first inspection template is the foundation of using Algus effectively. This guide will walk you through the process of building a digital inspection form using our intuitive drag-and-drop template builder.

Step 1: Access the Template Builder

1. Log into your Algus dashboard
2. Navigate to Templates in the main menu
3. Click the "Create New Template" button
4. Choose "Start from Scratch" or select a pre-built template

Step 2: Template Basic Information

Start by setting up the basic information for your inspection template:

• Template Name: Give your template a clear, descriptive name (e.g., "Daily Safety Inspection")
• Description: Add a brief description of what this inspection covers
• Category: Select the appropriate category (Safety, Quality, Maintenance, etc.)
• Frequency: Set how often this inspection should be performed

Step 3: Building Your Form

Use our drag-and-drop builder to add form elements:

Available Field Types

• Text Input: For short text responses
• Text Area: For longer descriptions or comments
• Multiple Choice: Radio buttons for single selections
• Checkboxes: For multiple selections
• Dropdown: Select from a list of options
• Number Input: For numerical values
• Date/Time: For scheduling and timestamps
• Photo Capture: Take photos during inspection
• Signature: Digital signatures for approvals
• GPS Location: Capture location data

Adding Fields

1. Drag a field type from the left panel to your form
2. Click on the field to configure its properties
3. Set the field label, help text, and validation rules
4. Mark fields as required if necessary
5. Arrange fields in logical order

Step 4: Configure Field Properties

For each field, you can configure:

• Label: The question or instruction text
• Help Text: Additional guidance for users
• Required: Whether the field must be completed
• Validation: Rules for acceptable responses
• Conditional Logic: Show/hide fields based on other responses

Step 5: Add Sections and Logic

Organizing with Sections

• Group related fields into sections
• Add section headers and descriptions
• Use page breaks for longer inspections

Conditional Logic

• Show fields only when certain conditions are met
• Create branching paths in your inspection
• Reduce form complexity by hiding irrelevant fields

Step 6: Preview and Test

1. Click "Preview" to see how your form will look
2. Test the form by filling it out completely
3. Check that all conditional logic works correctly
4. Verify photo capture and signature fields function properly
5. Test on both desktop and mobile devices

Step 7: Configure Actions and Workflows

Set up what happens after an inspection is completed:

• Auto-assign tasks: Create tasks based on inspection results
• Send notifications: Alert team members of issues
• Generate reports: Automatically create summary reports
• Trigger approvals: Route inspections for review

Step 8: Publish Your Template

1. Review all settings and configurations
2. Click "Publish Template"
3. Assign the template to appropriate team members
4. Set up scheduling if this is a recurring inspection

Best Practices

• Keep it simple: Start with essential fields and add more later
• Use clear language: Write questions that are easy to understand
• Test thoroughly: Always test your template before deploying
• Get feedback: Ask team members for input on usability
• Iterate: Continuously improve based on usage data

Common Issues and Solutions

Fields Not Showing on Mobile

Ensure all field types are mobile-compatible. Some complex fields may need adjustment for mobile use.

Conditional Logic Not Working

Check that your logic conditions are set correctly and that dependent fields are properly configured.

Photos Not Uploading

Verify that camera permissions are enabled and that users have a stable internet connection.

Next Steps

Now that you've created your first inspection template, you might want to:

• Set up your team to assign inspections
• Install the mobile app for field inspections
• Learn about task management to handle inspection results