PIPA • Platform
Creating a resilient reporting system.
PIPA approached 16i to redevelop their Inspection and Certification Platform, a critical component of the UK's Inflatable Play Inspection Scheme.
The purpose of this platform is to ensure the safety and compliance of inflatable play equipment. The existing system was reaching the end of its lifecycle, struggling with the increased load and volume of data. PIPA desperately needed a new system. The key requirements were that it be technologically robust, scalable and capable of supporting the future growth of the association whilst introducing new functionality for inspections reducing the reliance on manual methods of data capture and processing.
We hosted an initial consultation with PIPA to thoroughly understand their requirements and specification for the new system, ensuring our vision aligned with their needs. Through close and considered collaboration we refined these into a comprehensive, workable technical solution that could be delivered within their budget. The primary goal was to ensure we delivered a robust, efficient, and user-friendly platform, significantly improving the safety and compliance of inflatable play equipment in the UK by ensuring these key requirements were met:
- Data migration – The highest priority was set on needing to ensure that all historical data for current inspections and associated certificates for certified devices was accurately transferred and validated, overcoming the numerous data integrity issues that had developed within the old system.
- Enhanced data structure – With the volume and variety of data being collected they required a significantly improved data structure for their reports and system. To address this we created a framework that accommodated various data types for responses, question dependencies, complex validation / compliance rules and supporting evidence.
- Complex validation and compliance rules – The new system needed to maintain the exacting standards required by PIPA and the Health and Safety Executive. We developed and implemented comprehensive validation and compliance rules to maintain data accuracy, integrity and ensure all entered data met stringent standards.
Adaptive Dashboard for Each User
We created the dashboard to give insights tailored to the user logged in. The available data, activities they can perform and tasks they need to complete will be unique to them so this view will adapt to fulfil the requirements of the user so as to not to overwhelm with unnecessary information.
Generate a new Report
A user can quickly and easily start a new report on a device from the dashboard screen. A drawer will open and the user can populate the fields needed to get the test / report started. Once complete the report will be setup on the platform and the user could comeback at a later stage to complete.
Initial view and impressions of Report
Users can enter a report to get an overview to review the data, it's status and see if there is anything out of order. If they wish they can then click through each of the sections on the left to review the more granular details.
Easily view issues and problems.
To make the view of some aspects of the data easier to read we have used a traffic light system to report on data status' of Pass, Advisory or Fail. This makes it easy to view at a glance what data has been entered and any problem areas that may need further attention or details.
Adding Data to Reports
Data entry is really easy. Each field when clicked on opens a drawer with the fields needed to complete that entry. Once completed and then the 'Save and Close' button pressed that data along with progress on the report is saved to ensure minimal data loss.
Compare Data with Ease
We included a data comparison option on all reports. So if there had been a previous report completed against a device the data of the old report and the new can be compared. This allows the inspector to check for issues and inconsistencies and make sure the report reflects the correct status.
Intuitive User Interface
One of the key achievements with the platform has been creating a User Interface (UI) that matches the brand aspects of PIPA and is intuitive to use. The creation of reports in particular is a complex process, with lots of fields to complete. We worked with PIPA to systematic break this down into manageable sections and utilising a drawer system have reduced the cognitive load on a user by tasking them with focusing on one small part at a time. This functionally has also made it easy to apply auto save to progress at each stage without the need for the user to manually do this or be concerned about losing work completed.
Making reports on system visible.
A key aspect for the advantage of PIPA as the body of choice for certifying the safety of inflatable play equipment is the transparency that wanted to achieve with the system and website in combo. That is why all tags and reports that are generated on the system can be viewed by anyone on the website.
