This page outlines recommendations for designing and building useful CommCare applications. These are compiled from collective experience in app construction and are only recommendations. Individual projects could vary substantially and the overall best practice is to go through extensive user testing and piloting to identify and correct language, media, or work flows that are confusing.
Case Management
Some important things to consider:
Case List
Show properties that will help user find the case they want
Add sorts(Case List Sorting) and hidden properties to help user search for the item they want.
It is possible to have several case properties displayed in the case list, but should consider the device type you are using. Phones have smaller screen sizes, and therefore will be able to display fewer properties in the case list, whereas tablets have a more space on the screen to show more properties. In general, 3 to 4 properties is a good number to display in the case list.
Case Detail
Can show more properties than case list.
Add properties that will help user make sure they've picked the right case
Add properties that will help user before opening a form for the case
Use the Format option to display case properties correctly for the user. See Case List and Case Detail Configuration.
Use ID Mapping if displaying any case properties that store item values. This will make sure friendly text is shown.
Case Properties
Saving and loading of case properties into the form is an important aspect of case management
In the event that you are saving and/or loading case properties into specific hidden values, consider organizing those hidden values into question groups called ''save'' and ''load'' respectively. This will help you stay organized with the movement of case properties.
CommCare Settings
Turn on CommCare Sense Mode For most applications, this will result in a simpler user experience for low literate users. Some advanced features may be hidden (ex. Saved/Incomplete forms on CommCare Android)
Turn on Two-Way Sync: This will let ensure that if cases are reassigned, the user will be able to load them on their phone.
Setup Daily/Weekly Sync: If you're using case sharing, make sure you have daily or weekly sync on your phones so that users have a fresh version of any cases.