Introduction to Interview with Pathagoras

Summary: As your document assembly system matures, there may come a time when you wish not to display to your end-users (including yourself) all available clauses in the selected book. You may prefer a much more limited list of selectable options, and maybe even a Question and Answer approach.

Pathagoras’ ‘interview-style’ interface, may be the solution. It allows you to present a much smaller number of choices in a more narrative Question and Answer format than a listing of document names allows. When the Q and A worksheets are properly constructed, the answers provided by the end user will lead to the proper document.

The standard Clause Selection Screen presents to the user all available clauses found in a selected book. One of the drawbacks to showing all of the available clauses for possible selection by the end-user is . . . well that all available clauses are displayed from which the end user can choose.

In most cases, this works out well. Those users who know the purpose and effect of each document and clause usually prefer to hand-select the best clauses. However, non-administrator end-users can become confused by a large number of choices. They may not understand what goes where, and why. And the administrator may not always be available to offer guidance.

The Pathagoras Questionnaire provides a vehicle by which the system administrator can create a “Question and Answer” form which will be presented to the end-user instead of the typical Clause Selection Screen. The end-user need only select answers to questions presented. When the Questionnaire is properly configured, those answers will lead to the assembly of the correct document(s).

The following describes how a Questionnaire is created. Like other Pathagoras features and functions, no behind the scenes programming or coding is required. A bit of time is necessary to map out the questions and answers, and assign clauses to be assembled depending upon the answer. Nevertheless, you will find the process quite easy, straightforward and intuitive.

NOTE: Before you can create a Q & A Form, you must enable the routine. Click the Enable Q & A Assembly in the Display Features section on the front page of the Utilities & Settings screen.