Introduction
The aAssess Android app allows assessors to undertake assessments in a completely paperless way.
The app has been designed for use within train driving cabs, such that it does not make any sound, send any notifications, or require any network connection to be enabled during an assessment. It is also low contrast so that the screen does not light up and cause distraction.
The below guide will provide an overview of how to use the aAssess Android app as an assessor.
Glossary
Activation code: 8-digit code used to activate aAssess against the correct system.
Destroy database: used to re-set the app if a user experiences a persistent issue.
Sync: used to download data from and upload data to ACMS. Think of it as saving your work.
Abort: function to delete an assessment.
Activating your app and Logging In
Before logging into the app, you will be prompted to enter an activation code. This code will link the app with the data for your site and will be an 8-digit code for all personnel belonging to the TOC. The activation code will be different for test, int and live environments. A member of the TOC's admin will have access to the activation code if this has not already been given to you.
After entering the activation code, you will then need to enter your username and password. This will match with the credentials issued to log into ACMS.
If you've recently changed your password on ACMS and your new password is not working on aAssess, hit the 'Sync Users' button. This will allow the app to download your new password.
Logging an Issue
As with ACMS, the dropdown menu in the top left will detail all your menu options and functions within the app.
The bottom three options can be used to log issues with AssessTech and reset the app.
Email Logs & Database
In the event of any issues encountered during use of the app, we request that the logs & database are sent to AssessTech in order to troubleshoot any issues.
aAssess no longer uses the email client on the device, when selecting 'Email Logs' or 'Email Database' the user's logs and database will be uploaded to Nextcloud (our equivalent of Dropbox)
Destroy Database
This item will take the user back to the activation code screen, logging them out of the app and resetting the database with which the app is linked. This function should only be used if advised by a member of the AssessTech team when an issue is encountered.
Please note: Any un-synced assessments will be lost when destroying database.
Syncing Assessments
The aAssess app is designed such that assessments can be performed offline so that there is no disruption when having to perform assessments in the field. In order for these assessments to appear on the web and for the assessor to have the latest data on their device, the assessor is required to perform two different types of sync:
Upload Sync
An upload sync will need to be performed when the assessor has carried out an assessment so that this can be uploaded to the web. We advise performing an upload sync at the end of a day assessing when they have Internet connection again.
Full Sync
A full sync will need to be performed when the assessor is about to start performing assessments and needs the latest data on their device. We advise performing a full sync at the start of the day when on Internet connection before going out to assess.
Assessment Planning
Criteria Viewer
Through the Criteria Viewer, the assessor can review any criteria that have been uploaded to the ACMS instance. As with other areas of the app, the screen is split into three sections so that the assessor can drill down to the sets, units, and items they'd like to review.
Assessment Planning
The Assessment Planning screen can be used to see all upcoming assessments for those in your team.
Self Planning
The Self Planning screen is much like Assessment Planning but instead will display the assessor's upcoming assessments so that assessments for others can be planned around this.
Candidate History
The Candidate History screen displays in the same way as the Candidate Schedule screen but can be used by an assessor to review previously carried out assessments, the criteria items included, and the levels allocated.
Completing an Assessment
Through the Candidate Schedule page you can start a new assessment or continue a paused assessment. Once the candidate, schedule and assessment period have been selected, the app will prompt the assessor to Start an Assessment. To do this, click Yes on the pop-up. You will then be taken through to the assessment itself where you will need to enter whether the candidate is present for the assessment before proceeding.
Holding down on a candidates name will display a pop up box to download the latest schedule and assessment information for a candidate that is not part of your team.
Information
The next page to open is the Information page (which can be returned to from the dropdown menu in the top left). This screen will display information regarding the candidate, schedule, and assessment period selected. From here, you can also track the number of each level that have been given to criteria under 'Assessed Criteria':
Assess
To begin assessing criteria, go to the Assess page. From here, you can select the relevant criteria unit and items to assess. To assess an item, click one of the levels (Red, Amber, Green, Double Green) or click into the criteria item to add the level and a comment:
When clicking into a criteria item, the assessment history of this item will be displayed in the bottom left hand section of the screen.
On the lefthand side of the page, a list of filters will appear to show has previously been assessed and at what level, and all items that remain to be assessed:
Please note: A comment will be required against all below standard (Red and Amber) and above standard (Double Green) items before submitting the complete assessment.
Waypoints
If you'd like to add markers for conditions, locations, brake types, train information, etc. these can be added as Waypoints via the Waypoints screen. These will have been pre-configured with locations and conditions on the web. Simply, select Add
Please note: If anything needs to be added to the list in order to be tracked during an assessment, this will need to be done via ACMS.
Review
The Review page can be used to make Live Notes, and to review assessed criteria as part of the assessment. This can be useful to confirm the levels allocated that all those that require comment have one allocated:
Summary
The Summary screen is where the assessor can leave their overall feedback for the assessment (using the Overall assessment summary box) and will assign whether the candidate was found competent overall, and whether they were present at the end of the assessment (if relevant):
If the assessment has any outstanding waypoints that have not been completed or any assessed items that have not been finalised, this will be indicated on the summary page and the assessment can't be completed until everything is resolved.
Marking the candidate as not present means when the assessment is uploaded it will show as complete. Whereas marking the candidate as present will prompt the candidate to enter their password and give the candidate the opportunity to say whether they object to the assessment and leave a comment. An assessment where the candidate is marked as present will be uploaded onto ACMS in the sealed state.
Pause and Abort
Additional options on the dropdown menu in the top left include Pause and Abort:
The Pause button will allow the assessor to save their assessment progress so far and return them to the homepage to review other pages. This will log an Unfinished Assessment on the homepage from which the assessor can continue the assessment at any time.
The Abort button will discard the assessment entirely. This should only be used if the incorrect assessment period, schedule or candidate has been allocated and the assessor needs to restart. If the Abort button is selected, there is no way for the assessment to be retrieved, so should only be used where absolutely necessary.
Sync
At the end of the assessment, this will need to be synced. Any Unsynced Assessments will appear on the home screen as a reminder they require syncing.
FAQs
Can I assess overdue periods?
Yes you can. Overdue periods are highlighted in a different colour (configurable for each TOC) to current periods.
What do I do if I have an issue on my app?
Contact the ACMS admin. If the issue persists they may request your app logs and database which they can pass on to us for further investigation.
How do I find the activation code?
Your ACMS admin should be able to provide you with the activation code. Often they will add the activation code as a News article on ACMS, so you may find it on your Homepage.
Why are my login credentials not working?
Firstly, have you recently changed your password? If so, it may be worth doing a 'Sync Users' from the login page on aAssess so that your new password is pulled from ACMS. If you haven't changed your password then you may not have the correct user access for aAssess. In this case, get in contact with your ACMS admin.
Why can't I see assessments for people who are not in my team?
Assessors can assess anyone they have access to, not just their team members. The 'Candidate Schedules' page shows your teams at the top of the depots column, but beneath that you should be able to access candidates from all depots you have access to.
Can I add attachments to assessments?
Yes, but only on ACMS. If you need to add a file attachment to an assessment which was completed on aAssess, upload the assessment to ACMS, find the assessment on the candidate's profile and head to the 'Attachments' tab. From here select 'Add' under the 'Admin' button and browse your computer for the file. We accept most file types.
Can an assessment be uploaded to ACMS in 'Draft'
No, assessments on aAssess can only be uploaded in the complete state or the sealed state if the candidate is marked present at the end of the assessment.