Defining an observation for an asset inspection type

When setting up an inspection type, you can define a list of the observations commonly found during that kind of inspection. An observation is a type of defect noted during an asset inspection, such as a radial crack or root intrusion found during a sewer main inspection. Sometimes, an observation may simply serve to note a change, such as in water flow or pavement roughness.

For each observation, you can define several severities. These are codes that represent the seriousness of a defect. For example, your agency might define three degrees of severity for a radial crack observation: Low, Medium, and Critical.

You can also add a formula to calculate a numerical observation rating in the Workflow Manager. For example, to calculate an observation rating for a sewer main inspection, you could add a formula to the BeforeAdd event of the SMNServiceInspectionObservation business object.

  1. Select Asset Management > Assets > [Asst Module].
  2. On the correct asset type tab, under Configuration, click Inspection Types.
  3. In the Inspection Types tree, browse to the Observations node for the correct inspection type.
  4. Click Add above the Observations grid.
  5. Type an identification code for the observation in the Observation Code field.
    Note: The observation code must be unique within the inspection type but can be reused in other inspection types.
  6. Specify any other information about the observation code. You can specify a unit of measure for the observation, and you can specify a weighting factor for use in observation rating and index formulas. You can use the Observation Group field to specify an observation group, which can be useful for reporting purposes.
  7. Click Save.
    Infor Public Sector adds the observation to the inspection type and shows it in the grid. Members of your agency can now specify this observation when performing inspections of this type.
  8. Define the severity codes that can be assigned to this observation.
    1. Expand the Observations node to see a node for the new observation.
    2. Click the new "Observation" node, and then click the Severities node.
    3. Click Add above the grid.
    4. Specify a severity code in the Observation Severity field.
    5. Specify a description of the code in the Severity Description field.
    6. Click Save.
      Infor Public Sector adds the severity code to the observation and shows it in the grid.
    7. Repeat steps a - f to add more severity codes to the observation.