Create Observations | Review Observations


Use the observation tool to create points of interest for other users to review and communicate feedback. VEP Verify allows users to create observation points in the field, using GPS location for geographic accuracy. Users may also respond to existing observations in real time as soon as they have been field-checked.


Create Observations

  • Select the Observation tool.



  • Click the Observations template, with the yellow marker.

    • Shared Observations (purple maker) will appear only for multi-jurisdictional participants sharing observations with neighboring VEP jurisdictions.



  • Use the My Location button to zoom in on your field location.

  • Tap on the map to add an observation point in the location of interest.



  • The Create Observations form will expand with the following fields:

    • Title: Give the observation point a title that identifies the issue (i.e., "Pool House Not Addressed").

    • Street Address: VEP Verify automatically populates the location of the point. This field can be modified if needed.

    • City: VEP Verify automatically populates the location of the point. This field can be modified if needed.

    • County: VEP Verify automatically populates the location of the point. This field can be modified if needed.

    • State: VEP Verify automatically populates the location of the point. This field can be modified if needed.

    • Observer Notes: Add comments to go into further detail about the issue or suggestion identified.

      • The comments can be formatted using common rich-text, bullets, numbering, and indentation formats. Comments are limited to 1000 characters.

  • Attachments: Attach any supporting documents or images to add further detail to the issue or suggestion.

    • Supported files include: JPG, PNG, BMP, and PDF

    • Maximum file size: 2 MBs

  • Observation Recipients List: Add users from VEP and/or others without VEP accounts.

  • Add VEP System Email: Add other VEP users from your organization

    • Choose the email from the drop-down and select the Add button to include the user in the recipient's list.

    • After adding all necessary recipients, select OK to populate the email into the main Observations Recipients List.



  • Add Additional Email: Add others without a VEP account

    • Choose a pre-existing email from the drop-down and select the Add button to include the recipient in the recipient list. If a contact is not present in the drop-down, the administrator will need to add the recipient for you through the Admin settings.

      • Administrator's only: Select the 'Add email(s) for future use' checkbox to request to have them added to the drop-down. Enter a new email in the free form field to include them in the Observation email recipients list.

    • After adding all necessary recipients, select OK to populate the email into the main Observations Recipients List.



  • To submit the observation to the Editor, press the Save button on the form.

  • Once saved, the recipients and the submitter will receive an observation email notification that includes a map snippet and the details outlined in the observation form regarding the observation point.



Review Observations

Observations can be viewed by selecting the observation on the map, viewed in the attribute table pulled up from the bottom of the Web Map, or in the Observation Tools > Review Observations tab.
Editors and Administrators can create map observations and view all observations submitted in their organization. They can add comments to the Observer Notes and Discussion Thread and change the status to "Canceled" or "Resolved". Administrators can delete any observation point in their organization by changing the status to "Delete Record". Observers can create observations, view observation points they created, and change the status of an observation to "Canceled".

  • Open the Observation tool

  • Click on the Review Observations tab.

  • Use the Observation Filters to help narrow the search for an observation point.

    • Select the Observation Status of the observation to be selected.

    • Selecting a new 'Observation Name' from the drop-down will pan and re-center the map on the new observation point.

    • All attribute fields in the Observation tool will automatically update based on the observation point being selected.




  • Reviewing the Observer Notes will provide context for the observation point submission.

    • Observation Notes may be updated by the original submitter.

  • The Discussion Thread field supports multiple comments posted from all users reviewing the observation. 



  • When comments are added or the status is changed, an email notification will be sent to the user that created the observation.

  • The next or previous observation point may be accessed by using the '<' or '>' arrows in the footer portion of the Observation tool.



  • If the observation submitted includes external attachments, these files are accessible from the pop-up window on the web map, found by clicking on the observation point. Scroll to the bottom to view any available attachments.



  • After reviewing the observation and using the details to help adjust the data, update the status to Resolved by tapping the Status field dropdown.

    • Resolved observations will no longer be displayed on the map.

  • If the observation was created by mistake, the status can be updated to Canceled by using Status dropdown. Administrators can permanently remove an observation record from the dataset and leave no archive, by selecting the Delete Record option.