Improving Workflows with Tasks in ArcGIS Field Maps
Managing fieldwork involves more than collecting GIS data. Organizations need ways to prioritize assignments, guide field crews through their work, and maintain consistent information as they complete tasks.
The recent addition of the Tasks capability to ArcGIS® Field Maps adds the functionality and flexibility to manage task-driven field workflows and ultimately allows Field Maps to replace the ArcGIS® Workforce application. From customizable task sorting and AI-assisted ArcGIS® Arcade expressions to automated calculations, these capabilities can help organizations streamline field operations.
A Quick Introduction to ArcGIS Field Maps Tasks
The Tasks capability in Field Maps lets organizations create, assign, and manage work directly in their GIS environment. Field personnel can access a focused task list (i.e., to-do list), review assigned work, update task statuses, and document completed activities.
Tasks are built into Field Maps, so organizations already using the application can use this functionality without purchasing separate task management software. For an introduction to configuring Tasks, check out our previous article, Tackle Your To-Do List with ArcGIS Field Maps.
Key Enhancements to ArcGIS Field Maps
Recent updates to ArcGIS Field Maps introduce several capabilities that give organizations greater control over how they assign, prioritize, and complete fieldwork. One notable addition is Tasks, which provides a more structured approach to managing field assignments. Alongside Tasks, several enhancements improve how field staff interact with forms, capture information, and manage their daily workflows. Key enhancements include:
Task Prioritization and Sorting: Organize assignments by priority, distance, status, or other user-defined attributes.
ArcGIS Arcade assistant (beta): Use natural-language prompts to generate Arcade expressions for dynamic forms and automated calculations.
Time and Date Only fields: Times and Dates can be separated into their own fields, which can then be used to capture start and end times to calculate work duration automatically.
Enhanced Form Elements: Streamline inspections with multiple-choice fields and configurable attachment requirements.
Short-Integer Field Support: Take advantage of existing GIS fields and coded value domains without schema modifications.
Prioritizing Fieldwork with Task Filters and Sorting
Expanded filtering and sorting options provide greater control over how task assignments are organized and displayed. Within ArcGIS Field Maps Designer, administrators can configure task lists based on criteria. End users then see their tasks sorted by these criteria. Possible criteria include:
Priority: Organize work by Low, Medium, High, or Critical priority.
Distance: Display tasks closest to a worker's current location.
Status: Focus on outstanding or in-progress assignments.
Custom Attributes: Sort using operational information, such as task type or water system pressure zone.
Users can also filter assignments to show only incomplete tasks assigned to the current user, reducing clutter and improving the end-user experience for field crews. These capabilities give the users more flexibility in directing field activities, especially when managing large numbers of assets and task assignments.
Simplifying Advanced Workflows with the ArcGIS Arcade Assistant
Arcade allows organizations to create dynamic forms, automate calculations, and control field behavior. However, writing Arcade expressions often requires technical knowledge and additional configuration time. Esri's ArcGIS Arcade Assistant (beta) simplifies this process by generating Arcade expressions from natural-language instructions.
For example, an administrator can use the assistant to configure an inspection form so that an Observed Defects field appears only when Hydrant Inspection is selected as the inspection type. Rather than writing the expression manually, the administrator describes the desired behavior, reviews the generated Arcade expression, and applies it to the form's visibility settings.
This capability makes it easier to build dynamic, user-friendly forms while reducing the time spent developing expressions. However, administrators should still review and test AI-generated expressions before deploying them to field staff.
Automating Time Tracking and Calculations
New support for date-only and time-only form elements in Field Maps provides greater flexibility for tracking field activities and automating calculations.
For example, a hydrant flushing workflow can be configured to automatically record the start time when a task's status changes to In Progress. Once the activity is complete, the field worker can select Now to capture the end time. An Arcade expression then calculates the elapsed time, automatically updating the flushing duration as values change.
The same workflow can be applied to hydrant flushing, valve exercising, equipment inspections, and other maintenance activities where documenting work duration matters.
Improving Data Collection with Smarter Forms
Additional form enhancements make it easier to collect consistent information while simplifying the experience for field personnel.
Multiple-choice fields let workers select several responses from a single list instead of answering multiple yes/no questions. Selected responses are stored in a single field as comma-separated values.
Attachment form elements provide greater control over supporting documentation. Administrators can specify accepted media types, such as photos, videos, audio, and documents. The minimum and maximum attachment count can also be defined.
Additionally, short-integer field support allows organizations to use compatible existing fields and coded value domains within Tasks, reducing the need to modify established data models.
Building More Intelligent Field Workflows
Individually, these enhancements may seem relatively small. Together, they can significantly improve how organizations manage and complete field assignments. Field Maps can now help organizations prioritize assignments, dynamically display relevant questions, automatically calculate values, and require documentation before submitting work.
For field crews, this means more organized assignments and simpler forms. For supervisors and GIS administrators, it provides additional control over workflows and better, more consistent data for reporting and analysis.
How do you prioritize tasks in Field Maps?
The Tasks capability in Field Maps supports configurable values, such as Low, Medium, High, and Critical. Administrators can configure task sorting in ArcGIS Field Maps Designer so field personnel can view assignments according to priority.
Can Field Maps Tasks be sorted by location or distance?
Yes, Field Maps allows task lists to be sorted by distance from the field worker's current GPS location. This helps crews identify nearby assignments and organize their work geographically, especially when performing routine maintenance or inspections across a large service area.
What is the ArcGIS Arcade assistant (beta)?
The ArcGIS Arcade assistant (beta) is an AI-powered capability that generates Arcade expressions from natural-language instructions. In ArcGIS Field Maps Designer, it helps administrators create calculated expressions and dynamic form logic without writing every expression manually. Generated code should be reviewed and tested before deployment.
Can ArcGIS Field Maps automatically calculate work duration?
Yes, using time-only fields and calculated Arcade expressions, organizations can configure ArcGIS Field Maps to record activity start and end times and calculate elapsed durations.
Can ArcGIS Field Maps forms show different questions based on the task type?
Yes, Arcade visibility expressions allow administrators to show or hide form elements based on attribute values dynamically. For example, a hydrant inspection may display a list of observed defects, while a valve maintenance task may display different questions or documentation requirements.
Can ArcGIS Field Maps require a photo before an inspection is submitted?
Yes, attachment form elements can be configured to require a minimum number of attachments. Administrators can also require users to capture new photos instead of selecting existing images.
How do multiple-choice fields work in ArcGIS Field Maps?
Multiple-choice form elements allow users to select more than one response from a predefined list. The selected values are stored as comma-delimited values within a single text field.
Can existing GIS fields and coded value domains be used with the ArcGIS Field Maps Tasks capability?
Yes, tasks can be configured using compatible existing feature layers and attribute fields. Support for short-integer coded value domains adds flexibility when incorporating this functionality into established GIS data models.
Is there an additional software cost for the Task capability in ArcGIS Field Maps?
