Originally published on 01/09/2018

Level up your mobile construction forms with these powerful features

Mobile forms are making their way onto more and more construction sites as more organizations than ever recognize the speed, accuracy, and flexibility of switching away from paper forms. But not all mobile forms providers are created equal. With GoFormz unique, customizable, and feature-filled platform, you can ensure you have the mobile form features to streamline all your construction projects.

Here’s a look at six features your teams can benefit from, no matter how large or remote your construction site is.

Sign Documents Instantly with Electronic Signatures

Electronic signatures have become a staple in mobile forms for construction projects. By integrating electronic signature fields, you can eliminate the need for physical paperwork, making it easier for team members to sign off on tasks and approvals on-site. This feature allows contractors, safety officers, and project managers to authenticate documents instantly, which is especially useful for documents that need immediate attention. With GoFormz, it’s fast and easy to build an electronic signature form, ensuring compliance with regulations and providing a secure, legally binding way to sign documents from anywhere.

Capture Visual Details with File Attachments and Images

Construction sites are dynamic environments, and often, visual evidence is critical for documentation. Including file attachments and images in your mobile forms allows users to upload relevant photos, schematics, and documents directly into the form. This feature provides detailed records for project reviews, client updates, and progress tracking. For instance, after a lockout tagout procedure, a team member could upload images to verify that safety measures were correctly implemented. With this feature, the team can also document issues like structural damage or incomplete work, helping stakeholders stay informed and accountable.

Highlight Key Details with Sketches and Annotations

Sometimes, images alone aren’t enough to convey detailed information. Adding sketch and annotation capabilities on image fields allows users to highlight specific areas in photos. This is particularly valuable for marking problem areas, identifying hazards, or conveying precise adjustments needed for installations. For example, a project manager could mark up a photo to indicate where a wall needs to be adjusted or where equipment should be placed. Annotating on the go provides an added layer of clarity and enhances communication among team members.

Record On-Site Observations with Audio Recordings

In some scenarios, text or images may not be the best way to capture information. Audio recording fields from GoFormz allow team members to quickly record hands-free verbal notes or instructions, making it easier to convey complex information without typing. This feature is particularly useful when hands are occupied or in hazardous environments where typing isn’t practical. Additionally, audio recordings can provide extra context, allowing users to explain issues in real-time. It also helps project leads capture quick feedback or verbal confirmations from team members during inspections or walkthroughs.

Keep Projects Moving with Automated Workflows

Automated Workflows can significantly improve the speed and accuracy of your processes. With customizable Workflows from GoFormz, your forms can automatically be routed to the appropriate team members or departments once they’re completed, cutting down on the need for manual oversight. For example, an inspection report can automatically be sent to the safety team for review, ensuring any potential issues are promptly addressed. Additional Workflows can also route your completed forms to Cloud storage or translate your form data directly into connected programs like Procore. This feature reduces administrative time and improves accountability, keeping projects moving smoothly without bottlenecks.

Reduce Data Entry Errors with DataSources

DataSources allow you to link form fields to existing databases, automatically prepopulating fields with relevant information. This feature reduces manual data entry and minimizes the risk of input errors. For instance, if you have a list of equipment records, and upload it into your GoFormz account, you can then link corresponding fields to autopopulate specific details from that records list. Within the GoFormz form builder, you’ll simply drag and drop the field(s) necessary, link it to your uploaded database (in this case equipment details record), and then allow your users to select an item from that list, which would auto-populate the rest of the fields corresponding to that item in the database. This streamlines processes like tracking equipment or service prices, as well as entering customer contact or billing information for invoices.

Incorporating these features in your mobile forms makes it easier for construction teams to capture, manage, and share information seamlessly.