In the Serenity Inspections & Audits application, inspection templates can include a wide range of question response types to capture consistent, structured data during inspections. This flexibility allows teams to tailor checklists to the specific needs of their operations — from simple yes/no compliance checks to detailed numerical or narrative inputs.
Below is an overview of the supported response types and their use cases.
1. Multiple Choice (Predefined Options)
Multiple choice responses allow users to select from a list of predefined answer options. This is the most common format for inspection checklists and supports simple, fast data entry.
Examples include:
Yes / No / N/A
Compliant / Non-Compliant / N/A
Good / Fair / Poor / N/A
Pass / Fail / N/A
Multiple choice questions are ideal for:
Compliance checks
Visual condition assessments
Verification of standard procedures
💡 Tip: These response sets can also be configured to trigger required notes, attachments, or issues (e.g., “Require a note if answer = No”).
2. String Fields (Short and Long Text)
String fields allow inspectors to provide written input.
Short Text (Single Line):
Used for brief responses such as names, ID numbers, or short comments. Example: “Inspector Name” or “Permit Number.”Long Text (Multi-Line):
Allows users to enter detailed narrative information or observations. Example: “Describe the condition of the fire extinguishers.”
3. Date and Time
The date/time response type lets inspectors record a precise timestamp.
Variants include:
Date & Time: Captures both calendar date and time of day.
Date Only: Used when only the date is relevant (e.g., inspection due date or calibration date).
These response types are helpful for:
Logging when a condition was last verified
Recording expiration or maintenance dates
4. Numeric Responses
Numeric response types are used for quantifiable data entry.
Integer: Whole numbers only (e.g., number of extinguishers, count of PPE items).
Decimal: Supports numeric values with decimal precision (e.g., “4.75 psi” or “2.5 hours”).
Use numeric fields when measuring or counting specific quantities, tolerances, or performance metrics.
5. Reference Fields (Lookup Values)
Reference fields allow a question response to link directly to an existing record in the system. Instead of free text entry, inspectors can select a value from another Serenity table — ensuring accuracy and consistency.
Common reference types include:
Person: Select an employee or contractor from the system directory
Asset: Reference a piece of equipment, vehicle, or machine
Zone or Process: Connect the response to a specific operational area
Typical uses:
Identifying who performed a task or was involved in an observation
Linking a finding to a specific asset or location
Associating responses with tracked entities for reporting and traceability
Best Practices
Use multiple choice where possible to standardize reporting and support scoring.
Reserve text responses for details or clarifications, not for primary data points.
Keep question wording clear and positive (e.g., “Is PPE in use?” rather than “Is PPE missing?”).