Automated process management systems are the workhorses of every modern company. These systems guide operations and improve quality and efficiency. Hidden away in the core of each automated process management system lies the unsung yet essential electronic form. You can avoid quality management system (QMS) form design mistakes by following some proven guidelines.

Forms are the arteries that pump information to the heart of your QMS. They do this in the following ways:

Workflow: Completed form responses will trigger actions and workflows, including approval processes.
Tasks: Forms create automated tasks for responsible parties while managing user permissions.
Capture: Forms capture required substantiation including documents, photos, signatures, and time stamps.

Form design automates the processes of your QMS. Mistakes can require extensive reworking and render a system ineffective. Let’s look at five key mistakes often made when designing electronic forms and how things can be done better.

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