Creating Custom Action Templates with Dynamic Fields
Overview
Action templates in Audit Now provide reusable frameworks for creating consistent, structured corrective actions.
Instead of manually configuring each action, templates offer standardized forms with predefined fields, custom status
workflows, and automatic assignment logic that adapt to different types of issues while maintaining organizational
standards.
Understanding Action Templates
What Are Action Templates?
Action templates are pre-configured forms that define:
- Field structure: Which information to collect for each action type
- Status workflows: Custom progression from creation to completion
- Automatic numbering: Organized action ID system with custom prefixes
- Custom fields: Additional data collection beyond standard action fields
Default Template Foundation
Every organization starts with a "Standard Action" template that includes:
- Action ID Prefix: ACT (creates ACT-1, ACT-2, ACT-3, etc.)
- Core fields: Title, Description, Priority, Status, Assignee, Due Date, Location
- Basic workflow: Open → In Progress → Complete → Cancelled
- Primary designation: Automatically loads when users create new actions
Template Numbering System
Actions receive automatic tenant-based sequential numbering:
- Format: [PREFIX]-[NUMBER] (e.g., ACT-1, SAFETY-105, MAINT-47)
- Sequential counting: Starts from 1 for each organization
- Custom prefixes: Organize actions by type, department, or priority
- No gaps: Continuous numbering ensures complete audit trail
How to Access Templates
Getting to Templates
1. Click Actions from your main menu on the left
2. You'll see the main Actions page (might be empty if you haven't created actions yet)
3. Look for the blue "Templates" button in the top-right corner
4. Click Templates to open the template management area
What You'll See
Template List Page:
- Search bar to find specific templates
- Template table showing:
- Prefix: The letters before action numbers (like ACT, SAFETY)
- Name: What you call each template
- Last Updated: When it was last changed
- "+ New Action Template" button to create new ones
Creating Your First Template
Starting a New Template
1. From the Templates page, click "+ New Action Template"
2. You'll see two panels:
- Template Settings (left side): Where you set everything up
- Preview: Action Form (right side): Shows how it will look to users
Setting Up Your Template
Template Name:
- Type a clear name like "Equipment Repair" or "Safety Issue"
- This name appears when people create new actions
Action ID Prefix:
- Change "ACT" to something more specific if you want
- Examples: "REPAIR" makes REPAIR-1, REPAIR-2, etc.
- Or "SAFETY" makes SAFETY-1, SAFETY-2, etc.
- You'll see a note: "Actions will be numbered as: [PREFIX]-1, [PREFIX]-2, etc."
Set as Primary Template:
- Turn this ON if you want this template to load automatically
- Turn OFF if people should choose this template manually
- Only one template can be primary at a time
Status Workflow Configuration
Understanding Status Categories
Open Status Category (Blue Display)
- Action requires attention and appears in active task management
- Triggers due date reminders and overdue notifications
- Included in workload tracking and performance dashboards
- Used for tracking work in progress and pending items
Closed Status Category (Green Display)
- Action completed or resolved and removed from active tracking
- Stops automatic notifications and reminder systems
- Used for completed, cancelled, or transferred actions
Adding Status Steps
Default Status: Every template starts with one "Open" status. Here's how to add more:
1. Click "+ Add Status Option"
2. Type the status name (like "In Progress" or "Waiting for Parts")
3. Choose the type from dropdown:
- Open (blue) - Work still needs to be done
- Closed (green) - Work is finished
4. Add as many as you need for your process
5. Delete any you don't want using the trash can icon
Real-World Status Workflow Examples
Safety Issue Tracking
If you manage safety incidents, you might create these statuses:
- Reported (Open) - Someone found a safety issue
- Investigating (Open) - We're looking into what happened
- Action Planned (Open) - We know what to do to fix it
- Fixing Issue (Open) - We're working on the solution
- Training Staff (Open) - Teaching everyone about the change
- Complete (Closed) - Safety issue is fully resolved
- No Action Needed (Closed) - Investigation showed no real problem
Equipment Repairs
For maintenance and repair actions:
- Scheduled (Open) - Maintenance is planned
- Waiting for Parts (Open) - We ordered what we need
- Ready to Work (Open) - Everything is available to start
- Repairing (Open) - The work is happening now
- Testing (Open) - Making sure the repair worked
- Complete (Closed) - Equipment is working properly
- Cancelled (Closed) - Decided not to do the repair
Adding Custom Fields
Additional Fields Overview
Beyond the Basic Fields: Every action already has Title, Description, Priority, Status, Assignee, Due Date, and
Location. You can add more fields if you need them.
Adding Extra Fields
Available Field Types:
- Free Text: Short answers like equipment IDs or names
- Rich Text: Longer answers with formatting options
- Number: For costs, quantities, or measurements
- Checkbox: Yes/no questions
- List of Values: Dropdown menus with preset options
- Date: Date picker for deadlines
- Date & Time: Date picker plus time selection
How to Add Fields:
1. Scroll down to "Additional Fields" section
2. Click "+ Add Custom Field"
3. Type the field name (like "Equipment Type" or "Cost Estimate")
4. Choose the field type from dropdown
5. Delete fields you don't want using the red trash icon
Real-Time Template Preview
Preview Panel Functionality
Live Template Visualization:
- Action ID display: Shows example with custom prefix (e.g., SAFETY-156)
- Field arrangement: Displays all configured fields in user interface order
- Status dropdown: Shows custom workflow options as they'll appear to users
- Standard fields: Priority, Assignee, Due Date, Location in context
- Custom fields: Additional fields with proper formatting and input types
Template Testing Process
Validation Steps:
- Check field labels: Ensure clarity and proper terminology
- Verify field order: Confirm logical flow for data entry
- Test status options: Review workflow progression makes sense
- Confirm field types: Validate input methods match data requirements
- Preview mobile layout: Consider how template appears on mobile devices