I think I know the answer to this, but I'd like some opinions. We do a nice job training to procedures and work instructions, but forms are another story. If I update a form, I remove all old copies, and provide only the latest form. I have done training on a completely new type of form, but I typically don't do training on every new/revised form. Should I? Probably.

Thanks!

my thoughts are that it depends on how difficult the new activities are that you are recording... For the most part, we do not train directly to forms, but to the activities leading up to the record. We do notify personnel that we are issuing a revised form so that they may 1) review the revisions for themselves 2) ask questions if they don't "get it" and 3) make sure that they replace any obsolete forms that they might have (that "emergency" form that is kept in case of a computer outage) This is allowed in our system, and works because of the notifications.

Now, if your change is because of a new change in an insdustry standard that is required for certification of your product, you need to do some training, but once again, I would classify that as training for changes in the activity and not the form.

Adding to SteelMaiden's fine advice I will say "Depends on how badly you want the information on the form."

There are forms of various importance. Some forms I have used were saved for many years in case of legal needs. Would yours be consulted for legal purposes? Customer requirements? Warranty claims?

How important is it that every entry be completed?

How much does it matter if there are lineouts, etc.?

How difficult are they to use? I have some pretty busy forms that would drive some people nuts. I made them just for me and they suit my needs for specific reasons.

Do your people have any input on how farms are made? Should they? (Again, I'd say that depends on the number of what types of problems you're having and how important it is they be solved.)

I'd like to stress some of us are good with most any type of form, but we can forget that such is not the case with the greater population. Some of us tend to sort information differently than others, and this difference can become apparent in forms' designs.

The more abstract our minds, the more challenging we might be in using forms properly (especially someone else's designs) or adapting to changed forms. For that reason I suggest if problems persist you ask the users how they would design the forms to make them user friendly.

Thanks! Sounds like the right answer is: "it depends".

It also sounds like it's NOT an ISO requirement to train people to forms. That was my concern.

Thanks! Sounds like the right answer is: "it depends".

It also sounds like it's NOT an ISO requirement to train people to forms. That was my concern.

It is necessary that they are trained as one means of demonstrating competency.

If I am responsible for testing the quality of the product and you train me on the processes for testing, shouldn't you also train me on how (and where) to document the results?

As well, if you are referencing a form in your work instructions, if the forms change, does the work instruction? And if you're training on the work instruction, wouldn't you wish to include the form to visually communicate what was modified?

You are correct that ISO 9001 does not explicity say "Thou shall train on forms"...but heck, it doesn't say "Thou shall make good product" either. Common sense, my friend, with a strong dose of what makes good business sense for your organization, is called for.

Depending on importance, I would notify who the changes pertain to, have those people sign that they understand the change (and why) and then place the signed form in their training file. It works for me because I work for a relatively small company.

Yeah, your pretty much right on Dean. It all relates to risk (importance) and complexity.

My idea (and my company's) is that a form does not require training other than On-the-job and therfore is not recorded as a Work Instructions training would be recorded (forcompetentcy)....BUT...all of our forms are directly related to a Work instruction and therfore people are informed as to why they are filled in, who does it and the recording process for the form. It is part of ther overall training for their position.

All of our forms are simplistic and easy to follow. We like to keep it simple and to the ability of the lowest common denominator...i.e a lab technician can fill in a graph and chart better than a casual guy that we get in to record bag weights on a week to week basis.

We audit our forms to see how they are filled in and if modifications are required to either capture the info better or make it easier for the operator.