Forms
Designing forms requires careful assessment of how the form will be used. Contents should be organized to allow for sequential completion and ensure that signature check points make sense for how activities flow. It is also important to understand if forms are best filled out by hand or electronically and make sure that instructions are clear on the form itself or that the form references an SOP that defines expectations for how to fill in fields.
Basic Forms
Executing testing or manufacturing activities using a paper-based system requires clearly organized forms (i.e. batch records or test methods) that uses design features to highlight areas that need to be filled in.
Simple Fillable Word Forms
Word offers some fillable form functionality. Options include ability to type in text, images, check boxes, date pickers, and drop-down lists. The Word documents can then be locked to only allow users to fill in fields. Depending on the type of form fields used, Word forms can be used both for electronic completion or printed and used manually. Note: In order to use these forms they do need to remain as a Word document, functionality is lost when documents are saved as pdf.
Adobe Forms
Adobe fillable pdf forms offer opportunities for extended functionality, security, and automation.