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Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a New Project

Creating a new project in FieldFlow is the first step in organizing your data collection process. Follow these simple steps to get started:

  1. Click on the "+" Button
    To begin, click on the "+" button located at the top-right corner of the main screen. This will open the "Create Project" dialog.

  2. Input the Project Name
    In the dialog box, you'll see a field labeled "Project Name." Enter the name of your project here. This name will help you easily identify and organize your work.

  3. Input the Project Manager Name
    Below the project name field, there is another field labeled "Project Manager Name." Input the name of the person responsible for managing this project.

  4. Click on the "Create" Button
    After filling in the required fields, click on the "Create" button at the bottom of the dialog box. Your new project will now appear in the list of available projects.

  5. Open the Newly Created Project
    Once your project is created, it will appear in the list of projects on the main screen. Click on the project name to open it.

With these steps, you have successfully created a new project in FieldFlow.

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Managing Your Project

Once you've opened the project, you'll have several options for managing it. Here’s what you can do:

  • Archive or Restore the Project:

    • Archive: If you need to archive the project (temporarily remove it from active use), click on the "trash" icon.
    • Restore: If the project has been archived and you want to reactivate it, click on the "restore" icon.
    • Delete Permanently: After archiving a project, a "Delete" button will appear. Clicking this will permanently delete the project, so be cautious.
  • Export to CSV:

    • Export .csv: To export all the data within this project, click on the "Export .csv" button. This allows you to download the project data in a CSV file format, which can be useful for further analysis or sharing.
  • Manage Data Schemas:

    • Schema Dropdown List: You will see a dropdown list of data schemas associated with this project. If you have existing schemas, you can select one to edit it.
    • New Schema: If this is a newly created project, you’ll need to create a schema to define the data structure. Click on the "New Schema" button to get started.
  • Manage Campaigns:

    • Create a Campaign: Below the schema section, you'll find a list of campaigns associated with this project. To start a new campaign, click on the "+" button.
    • Access Existing Campaigns: If you have existing campaigns, you can enter them by clicking on the campaign name itself. This will allow you to add records and manage data within that campaign.

You can now proceed to define data schemas and set up your data collection campaigns within this project.

Creating a New Data Schema

Create a New Schema

  1. Click on the "New Schema" Button: Within your project, locate and click on the "New Schema" button. This action will open a form for creating a new data schema.
  2. Input the Schema Name: Enter a descriptive name for your schema in the provided field. The name should reflect the type of data or the specific focus of the schema.
  3. Click "Create": After inputting the schema name, click on the "Create" button to finalize the creation of your new schema. This schema will now be listed in the project's schema dropdown.

Select and Open the New Schema

  1. Select the Newly Created Schema: Once the schema is created, it will appear in the schema dropdown list. Click on the dropdown list and select your newly created schema.
  2. Open the Schema for Editing: Next, click on the button with a right-pointed arrow. This will open the schema, allowing you to add and configure variables.

Add Variables to Your Schema

With the schema open, you can now define the variables that make up your data structure.

  • Click on the "+" Button: To add a variable to your schema, click on the "+" button. This will open a form where you can define the properties of the variable.

  • Fill in the Variable Details:

    • Variable Name: Enter a name for the variable. This should clearly indicate what the variable represents (e.g., "Temperature", "Species Count").
    • Variable Type: Select the appropriate type for your variable from the dropdown list. Options may include Numeric, Text, Factor, Boolean, Location, Timestamp, or Photo.
    • Variable Unit (Optional): If applicable, specify the unit of measurement for the variable (e.g., "°C" for temperature, "meters" for distance).
    • Remarks (Optional): You can add any additional notes or descriptions about the variable in the Remarks field.
  • Add Factor Options (If Applicable): If you selected "Factor" as the variable type, you need to input the options for this variable. Enter the options in a comma-separated format without space after the comma (e.g., Low,Medium,High).

Once you've filled in all the necessary details, save the variable. Repeat the process to add more variables to your schema as needed.

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Managing Your Schema

On the schema detail screen, you can view the current status of your schema. This includes whether it is active, archived, or locked due to being used by an active campaign. You can also do the archive/restore/delete same as described in project section.

Linked Campaigns:

  • If any campaigns are currently using this schema, they will be listed on the schema detail screen.
  • Schema Locking: If a schema is linked to an active campaign, it will be locked, meaning you won’t be able to make any edits to it. This is to prevent any changes that could affect ongoing data collection activities.

Duplicate Schema:

  • If you need to make changes to a locked schema, you can create an editable copy by clicking on the "Duplicate Schema" button.
  • This will create a new schema identical to the original, which you can then modify as needed without affecting the linked campaigns.

Creating a Campaign in FieldFlow

With your data schema created and ready, you can now proceed to the next step: creating a campaign. A campaign is where you will collect and store data according to the schema you’ve defined. Follow the steps below to create a new campaign in FieldFlow.

Navigate to the Project Detail Screen

First, return to the project detail screen where you initially created the schema.

Start Creating a Campaign

  1. Click on the "+" Button: On the project detail screen, locate and click on the "+" button under the campaigns section. This will open the campaign creation form.

  2. Input the Campaign Name: Enter a name for your campaign in the provided field. The name should be something descriptive and easy to identify, such as "Day01" or "Spot02", depending on your specific data collection plan.

  3. Select the Data Schema: In the dropdown list, select the data schema you created earlier. This schema will define the structure of the data you collect during the campaign.

  4. Click on the "Create" Button: After filling out the campaign name and selecting the appropriate schema, click the "Create" button to finalize the creation of your campaign.

  5. Select the Newly Created Campaign: Once the campaign is created, it will appear in the campaign list. Click on the campaign you newly created to open the campaign detail screen.

CreateCampaign.png

Managing Your Campaign

After creating a campaign, you can view and manage all the details associated with it on the campaign detail page. This page allows you to review the linked data schema, export records, and manage the individual records within the campaign. Here’s a breakdown of the features and options available.

  • Linked Data Schema: At the top of the campaign detail page, you’ll see the data schema that is linked to this campaign. This schema defines the structure of the data you are collecting.

  • View Schema Details: To review the details of the linked data schema, click on the magnifying glass icon. This will open a detailed view of the schema, where you can see the variables and their configurations.

  • Export to CSV: If you need to export the data collected in this campaign, click on the "Export .csv" button. This will download all the records in the campaign as a CSV file, which can be used for further analysis or sharing with others.

  • Records List: Below the schema details, you’ll find a list of all the records associated with this campaign. Each record represents a data entry based on the schema you defined.

  • View and Edit Records: You can click on individual records in the list to view or edit the data. This allows you to ensure that all data collected is accurate and complete.

Inputting Data in FieldFlow

After setting up your campaign and linking it to a data schema, the next step is to start inputting data. FieldFlow makes this process straightforward, allowing you to create and manage records with ease. Below are the steps to create a new record and input data.

Creating a New Record

  1. Click on the "+" Button: On the campaign detail screen, click on the "+" button located in the records list section. This action will create a new record within the campaign.

  2. Auto-Incremented Record: The new record will automatically be assigned an incremented number as its identifier, and it will contain empty values (attributes) based on the variables defined in the schema.

Enter Record Details

  1. Select the Record: In the records list, click on the newly created record to open the record detail screen.

  2. Input Values for Each Attribute:

    • On the record detail screen, you will see a list of attributes corresponding to the variables defined in your schema.
    • Variable-Specific Input Forms: The input form for each attribute will vary depending on the type of variable (e.g., numeric, text, factor, boolean, location, timestamp, or photo). For example:
      • Numeric Variables: You’ll see a numeric input field.
      • Text Variables: A text box will be available for entering text, you can also use the "Scan" button to scan the data from a QR code or barcode.
      • Factor Variables: A dropdown list with predefined options will appear.
      • Boolean Variables: A checkbox or toggle switch will be available.
      • Location Variables: You may enter coordinates or use GPS data.
      • Timestamp Variables: A date and time picker will be provided.
      • Photo Variables: An option to upload or capture a photo will be available.
  3. Save the Record: After entering the values for each attribute, ensure to save the record to store the data.

Continue Data Collection

  • Repeat the Process: Continue adding new records and inputting data as needed for your campaign. Each record will be saved with the structured data format defined by your schema.

By following these steps, you can efficiently input and manage your field data in FieldFlow, ensuring that all records are accurately captured and organized for later analysis. InputData.png