An observation is an event that has a consequence affecting an organization in a positive or negative way. This could be production gains or losses, effects on people, environment, equipment, finances or reputation.

Docmap^® Observation & Improvement is a tool to report and register these events. The module also includes registration of actions that could prevent negative observations from reoccurring, or correct what already has happened. Every organisation has varying needs regarding what information is required when registering observations. Disparate observation types such as suggestions for improvement and personnel injuries should each have distinct workflows and differing information requirements.

Docmap^® allows this level of differentiation. Using simple tools, Docmap^® allows an organisation to define the workflow, nomenclature and required information for separate observation types. A user within the organisation will therefore access an interface which the organisation itself has defined. In addition the module is not based on a specific method for determining relationships between extent, risk, cause and actions. In Docmap^® the organisation can implement the system already in use. In addition to user defined fields, the Observation Module includes several standard fields. These include areas to add attachments (no limitations on file types are currently known), organisational and geographical validity areas, text descriptions, extent descriptions, dates, drop down menus and cause hierarchies.

With the integrated search engine an user has direct access to all observations registered in the database. It is possible to search using free text, drop down menus and specific criteria. Upon pressing the "Search" button a user will receive a complete list of all observations which comply with the search criteria. After choosing an integrated reporting format the information can be printed, exported to MS Excel, or used to drill deeper in to a problem. Users can also define subscriptions based on the selected criteria, thereby assuring that they are constantly informed on pertinent observations. Further, the data is stored in Docmap^® in an easily accessible format, allowing standard reporting tools such as Microsoft Excel to be used to extract and format the data.