Field Engineering Software: Web-Based Job Management
Content
Web-based Job Management James Ashley
Application must be configurable!
• • • • • • • • • Units (assemblies, conductors, etc.) Picklist values and codes Cost estimate data Unit symbols Sketch symbols and linetypes Users and groups Permissions and capabilities Custom fields and labels Job management queries (by group)
Job Management
There are three major user interfaces in the job manager: • Home page • Job listing • Job view
Home Page The home page is a page, customized based on user and the groups the user is in, containing the following: 1) quick searches - job number, name, etc. 2) listings - all jobs, predefined queries, and custom queries 3) totals - query builder to list totals of jobs for given criteria and date ranges
Job Listing
• All queries that list jobs use the Job Listing view. It looks like a spreadsheet and allows you to restrict the listing further by entering Values or Date Ranges for Fields at the top. You can Add and Remove the fields shown, Sort, Save the Current View as a custom query, and Export it in CSV format. You can also check Some or All Jobs and apply actions to them, such as Generate Reports, Remove, or Send to Interfaces. These actions are controlled using the Capability Permission System. Also, of course, you can click View Job for any of the jobs listed.
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Job View
• • • • This is the interface for working with a single job. You can view all fields for a job, in the same tab structure as in the Field Designer. You can view the most recent reports, including the staking sheet. Based on your permissions, you may also be able to edit some or all of the fields. If you have the capabilities assigned, you may also be able to perform administrative actions, such as regenerating reports, changing the job assignment or status, or clearing checkouts.
Work Flow
• • Based on these flexible tools, custom work flow is very simple. The hardest step doesn't involve the software at all - you have to figure out what your work flow is! This includes identifying the following: 1) important stages in the job lifecycle 2) potential bottlenecks 3) sequence of events, and which can be performed in parallel 4) tasks or roles 5) users or groups of users for each task or role
Generally a big flowchart is the result.
Based on the flowchart, you use the Config Manager to: • Create groups for each important role • Assign users to appropriate groups (users can be in more than one group) • Add any custom fields needed to capture the work flow and status • Add permission to edit appropriate fields for specific groups • Create listings, based on SQL queries of the fields, for jobs in specific stages Individual users then have just the listings they need to do their jobs. Each listing is a set of jobs one needs to take action on, and, after they take that action, the job leaves the list and proceeds on in the workflow. • Paper can be almost completely eliminated, and since all jobs and reports are visible at all times, some don't drop through the cracks (or behind the desk).
Jobs Database
• For advanced users, the Jobs Database is open for queries or reporting tools. This feature allows you to extract job data into applications such as Microsoft Access, Crystal Reports, or Microsoft Excel, where you can sort, filter, and make charts to your heart's content!
Application must be configurable!
• • • • • • • • • Units (assemblies, conductors, etc.) Picklist values and codes Cost estimate data Unit symbols Sketch symbols and linetypes Users and groups Permissions and capabilities Custom fields and labels Job management queries (by group)
Job Management
There are three major user interfaces in the job manager: • Home page • Job listing • Job view
Home Page The home page is a page, customized based on user and the groups the user is in, containing the following: 1) quick searches - job number, name, etc. 2) listings - all jobs, predefined queries, and custom queries 3) totals - query builder to list totals of jobs for given criteria and date ranges
Job Listing
• All queries that list jobs use the Job Listing view. It looks like a spreadsheet and allows you to restrict the listing further by entering Values or Date Ranges for Fields at the top. You can Add and Remove the fields shown, Sort, Save the Current View as a custom query, and Export it in CSV format. You can also check Some or All Jobs and apply actions to them, such as Generate Reports, Remove, or Send to Interfaces. These actions are controlled using the Capability Permission System. Also, of course, you can click View Job for any of the jobs listed.
•
•
Job View
• • • • This is the interface for working with a single job. You can view all fields for a job, in the same tab structure as in the Field Designer. You can view the most recent reports, including the staking sheet. Based on your permissions, you may also be able to edit some or all of the fields. If you have the capabilities assigned, you may also be able to perform administrative actions, such as regenerating reports, changing the job assignment or status, or clearing checkouts.
Work Flow
• • Based on these flexible tools, custom work flow is very simple. The hardest step doesn't involve the software at all - you have to figure out what your work flow is! This includes identifying the following: 1) important stages in the job lifecycle 2) potential bottlenecks 3) sequence of events, and which can be performed in parallel 4) tasks or roles 5) users or groups of users for each task or role
Generally a big flowchart is the result.
Based on the flowchart, you use the Config Manager to: • Create groups for each important role • Assign users to appropriate groups (users can be in more than one group) • Add any custom fields needed to capture the work flow and status • Add permission to edit appropriate fields for specific groups • Create listings, based on SQL queries of the fields, for jobs in specific stages Individual users then have just the listings they need to do their jobs. Each listing is a set of jobs one needs to take action on, and, after they take that action, the job leaves the list and proceeds on in the workflow. • Paper can be almost completely eliminated, and since all jobs and reports are visible at all times, some don't drop through the cracks (or behind the desk).
Jobs Database
• For advanced users, the Jobs Database is open for queries or reporting tools. This feature allows you to extract job data into applications such as Microsoft Access, Crystal Reports, or Microsoft Excel, where you can sort, filter, and make charts to your heart's content!
