How-to guide · 6 min read

How to build report templates that don't break

Change a form and break every report already in flight — that's the classic template trap. Here is how to design report templates that evolve safely.

The principles

Templates that evolve safely are versioned, role-aware, and decoupled from past submissions.

Version every change so history is preserved.
Scope fields and sections by role.
Snapshot the version onto each submission.
Keep editing visual, not code.

Building them in Prime RP

Design the schema from sections and fields in the form builder.
Set role visibility per field and section.
Publish a new version — in-flight reports keep their original schema.
The schema drives the mobile field report experience directly.

Why it holds

Past reports stay intact and comparable.
New versions roll out without fear.
Each role sees only relevant fields.
Operations can change forms without developers.

The payoff

Versioned, role-aware templates let you evolve your forms without breaking history — exactly how Prime RP's form builder works.