enmnhtransactions > Tasks

This tab is used to note tasks that need to be performed at a later date to complete a transaction or improve the transaction record. Tasks may include:

  • Adding or modifying data to ensure that the transaction record is accurate and complete

  • Cataloging an acquisition

  • Closing a loan after a condition has been met (for example, after one year if specimens are reported lost)

Because tasks may not be completed for years and contacts for individual collections may change over time, the best practice is to assign all tasks to Position records created for this purpose. The position records can be found by searching the Parties module using Party Type = “Position”. Records have been created for each of the four collection managers (which will direct the task to the current collection manager) and the registrar (which will direct the request to the NMNH- MinSciRegistrar resource account).


Description

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Task Description

ColumnName

TasDescription_tab

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Text

A description of the task to be performed

Usage

Required when task is created

Format

Provisional guidance

Description should start with an upper-case key phrase in square brackets that describes the type of task. Additional information can follow if needed.

Bracketed key phrases under consideration include:

  • [CATALOGING PENDING] describes an acquisition that needs to be catalogued and reconciled. This is used to identify records representing the backlog.

  • [DATA PENDING] describes an outgoing loan for which no data has been returned

  • [ACTION PENDING] describes any other action that must be completed at a later date

Key phrases would be used for searching/reporting and must be entered exactly.

Examples

  • [CATALOGING PENDING] Collection of roughly 400 object stored in the NW corner of E433

  • [DATA PENDING]

  • [ACTION PENDING] Close if recipient can not locate samples within one year


Assigned To

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Person Assigned To Task

ColumnName

TasPersonAssignedToRef_nesttab

DataKind

dkNested

DataType

Reference

RefTable

eparties

The position of the person responsible for completing the task

Usage

Required when task is created

Format

Reference to Parties. Best practice is to link to the position record in Parties for the appropriate collection manager


Assigned By

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Task Assigner

ColumnName

TasTaskAssignerRef_tab

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Reference

RefTable

eparties

The person who assigned the task

Usage

Required when task is created

Format

Reference to Parties


Result

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Task Results

ColumnName

TasResults_tab

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Text

The result of the task once completed

Usage

Required when task is completed

Format

Provide a brief description of the result of the task, including metrics if applicable (for example, the number of catalog records created). If the task will not be completed (for example, if a loan recipient locates missing specimens before a transaction is scheduled to be closed unbalanced), note why the task was not performed.


Start Date

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Commencement Date

ColumnName

TasCommencementDate0

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Date

The date on which to start the task

Usage

Required for time-dependent tasks (like closing a loan after a certain amount of time)

Format


Notify On

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Notify Date

ColumnName

TasStartNotifyDate0

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Date

The date on which to notify the contacts in the associated Notify grid

Usage

Required for time-dependent tasks (like closing a loan after a certain amount of time)

Format


Notify

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Commemcement

ColumnName

TasCommenceNotifyRef_nesttab

DataKind

dkNested

DataType

Reference

RefTable

eparties

List of positions to notify when the task is due to start

Usage

Required for time-dependent tasks (like closing a loan after a certain amount of time)

Format

Reference to Parties. Include the Mineral Sciences registrar at a minimum. Consider also including the appropriate collection manager.


Completed

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Completed?

ColumnName

TasCompleted_tab

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Text

Whether the task has been completed

Usage

Required when task is created

Format

Yes if the task has been completed, No otherwise.

Note that you should use Yes even if the assigned action did not need to be completed after all (for example, if a loan recipient locates missing specimens before a transaction is scheduled to be closed unbalanced).


Hours Taken

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Time Taken On Task

ColumnName

TasTimeTakenOnTask_tab

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Float

Not used


End Date

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Completion Date

ColumnName

TasCompletionDate0

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Date

The date on which the task was completed

Usage

Required when the task is completed

Format


Notify On

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Notify Date

ColumnName

TasEndNotifyDate0

DataKind

dkTable

DataType

Date

Not used


Notify

Field

Value

ItemPrompt

Completion

ColumnName

TasCompletionNotifyRef_nesttab

DataKind

dkNested

DataType

Reference

RefTable

eparties

Not used