Answer
Workflow question types determine how users respond in Frontline Operations (ANVL Workflows) and what kind of data you collect. Choose the question type based on the behavior you want from the user, the evidence you need, and how structured the response should be.
Use simpler question types whenever possible. More complex question types should only be used when they clearly improve data quality or the user experience.
Steps
Choose the best fit before building
Start with the simplest question type that will collect the right data.
Add photos, buttons, or follow-up behavior only when they improve the workflow.
Test the question in Demonstration / UAT if the behavior is complex or user-facing.
Workflow Question Types
Icon | Question Type | Purpose | Use When |
| Yes / No | Capture a simple binary response | You need a clear confirmation or decision |
| Open Text | Capture free-form written input | Users need to explain or describe something |
| Open Text with Photo Upload | Capture text with one photo | Context and visual evidence are both required |
| Open Text with Multiple Photo Upload | Capture text with multiple photos | Multiple images are needed to document a condition |
| List with Photo Upload | Review a list and attach a photo | Users confirm a condition visually |
| Text List with Buttons | Display information with actions | Users need to acknowledge or take an action |
| Open Text with Photo Upload and Buttons | Combine explanation, photo, and action | Users must explain, document, and choose an outcome |
| Open Text with Multiple Photo Upload and Buttons | Detailed documentation and actions | High-detail reporting is required |
| Checklist | Select one or more items | Multiple conditions may apply |
| Checklist Radio | Select exactly one option | Only one response should be allowed |
| Multi-Select with Follow-Up Questions | Select items with individual follow-ups (could be many questions) | Each selection needs more detail |
| E-Signature | Capture digital signature | Formal acknowledgement or approval is required |
| Automated Info with Buttons | Display system-generated info | Users need to review existing data |
| Editable List – Employee Addition | Add employees to a Work folder | Managing people in Work-first orgs |
| User Selection | Select one or more users | Assigning responsibility or documenting involvement |
| Handoff | Transfer ownership of the workflow to another collaborator | Another user needs to complete the next section of the workflow |
| Editable List – In-Progress Notification | Notify users during workflow | Real-time visibility is needed |
| Notice Screen with Buttons & Links | Display guidance or next steps | Users need information, not data entry |
| Approval | Capture a formal approval or denial decision | A supervisor, EHS leader, or other reviewer must approve work before it continues or the workflow is completed |
Question Types with Examples
Yes / No
Purpose: Simple confirmation or decision
Use When: You need a clear binary answer
Notes: Commonly used for routing or escalation logic
Open Text
Purpose: Free-text input
Use When: Users need to explain, describe, or add context
Notes: Avoid overuse; long text increases completion time
Open Text with Photo Upload
Purpose: Text explanation with a single photo
Use When: Written context and visual evidence are both required
Notes: Good for inspections or observations
Open Text with Multiple Photo Upload
Purpose: Detailed text with multiple photos
Use When: Multiple images are needed to document a condition
Notes: Increases effort—use intentionally
List with Photo Upload
Purpose: Review a list and capture a photo
Use When: Users confirm a condition visually
Notes: Minimal text input
Text List with Buttons
Purpose: Display information with interactive buttons
Use When: Users need to acknowledge or act on displayed content
Notes: Useful for guidance or instructions
Open Text with Photo Upload and Buttons
Purpose: Text, photo, and action in one question
Use When: Users must explain, document, and select an action
Notes: More complex—ensure clear instructions
Open Text with Multiple Photo Upload and Buttons
Purpose: Detailed documentation with multiple photos and actions
Use When: High-detail reporting is required
Notes: Use sparingly to avoid user fatigue
Checklist
Purpose: Select one or more items from a list
Use When: Multiple conditions may apply
Notes: Often paired with rule-based routing
Checklist Radio
Purpose: Select one option from a list
Use When: Exactly one answer must be chosen
Notes: Required for Custom Scoring
Multi-Select with Follow-Up Questions
Purpose: Select multiple items, each with its own follow-up
Use When: Each selected item needs additional detail
Notes: Powerful but increases workflow complexity
E-Signature
Purpose: Capture a digital signature
Use When: Formal acknowledgement or approval is required
Notes: Ensure users understand what they are signing
Automated Info with Buttons
Purpose: Display system-generated information
Use When: Users need to review existing data
Notes: Read-only content
Editable List – Employee Addition
Purpose: Add employees to a Work folder
Use When: Managing people in Work-first organizations
Notes: Available only in Work-first orgs
User Selection
Purpose: Select one or more users
Use When: Assigning responsibility or documenting involvement
Notes: Useful for follow-ups and notifications
Editable List – In-Progress Notification
Purpose: Notify selected users during workflow completion
Use When: Real-time visibility is required
Notes: Use intentionally to avoid alert fatigue
Notice Screen with Buttons and Links
Purpose: Display information with links or actions
Use When: Users need guidance or next steps
Notes: No data capture
Handoff
Purpose: Transfer ownership of a workflow to another collaborator.
Use When: Another user needs to complete the next section of the workflow.
Notes: The current user selects the next collaborator. The assigned user receives an email and text notification with a link to continue the workflow. A workflow can include multiple Handoff questions.
Approval
Purpose: Capture a formal approval decision.
Use When: A supervisor, EHS leader, manager, or other reviewer must approve or deny the workflow before work continues or the workflow is completed.
Notes: The approver selects Approved or Not Approved. Consider adding an Open Text question before the Approval question so reviewers can document comments or required corrective actions. A workflow can include multiple Approval questions.
General Design Guidance
Choose the simplest question type that meets the need
Complex question types increase completion time
Be consistent across workflows that serve the same purpose