Question I think I'm way over my head here

[Summit]

Hi Folks,

Haven't posted on here in a while, but I've started my second database, but I think I'm way over my head this time. I'm hoping that someone could let me know if what I'm doing is far beyond my skill level, or even possible in Access (using 2010). I have attached the database incase that helps. Please note that I threw this together in 2 days, so it doesn't look pretty and most of it does not work. I've even 'borrowed' a couple forms from my previous database. At this point, I've just been trying to make a visual representation so my manager can see how it may look and how I plan to make it work. There are several hurdles I have and if I am unable to solve them, I will abandon the project.

I am trying to make a database for work for creating, tracking and reporting back to work programs for someone has been off due to an injury. One of my biggest issues is that there is just so much information that could be entered into a back to work program, that I think it would look to cluttered to enter this information on one form. As a result, I have been using multiple forms to try and enter information into one record (which from my research has shown to be difficult/impossible to do).

My second big hurtle is trying to recall this information in order to add new phases to the back to work program or to edit a current phase. I would like to search an employee’s name then see a list of all back to work programs for that employee, to be able to select the program you want to work on and then view that program in the same format as how you entered the program in the first place. I would need the data to update in the same record.

My third hurtle is trying to make all this data to auto fill a form which gets sent out to the employee so that they understand their back to work program (per phase of back to work program). At this point, I do not know how to make this form select the proper employee and fill the form with the proper information.

Finally, my last issue is trying to import employee demographics into the database from another program that is used. I'm not sure how to do that without messing up the employees ID's/programs or how to make it update an employee’s information.

This database is far more complex than the one I created before and I am probably way over my head. This probably should be done by a professional, but if I can do it, it would save money. I am supposed to report to my manager next week to let him know if this project is doable or not. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Incase you take a look at the database, just an explanation of the forms/design thought

Medical Condition: Step 2 in program creation. Also used for program recall (I understand that I will probably have to make different forms for creation and recall)
Menuboard Admin: Admin page to make ribbon/navigation bar appear. Ribbon/nav bar currently appear when you open database
Menuboard Login: Login for admin page
Modified Work Plan Form: Form to be given to employee so they understand their program
Program Description: Step 1 in program creation. Also used for program recall
Program Menu: For recall of program, navigation menu for an employee’s program in order to edit/add information
Program Phase 1 & 2: Step 3 in program creation. Must also enter restrictions and work assignments. There will be more than 2 phase options if this project becomes a reality. Also used for recall
Program Search Test Form: Just for visual at this point. Supposed to represent a list of an employee’s different programs where you can select the program you want to work on
Restrictions Phase 1 & 2: Part of step 3 (phases) in program creation. Also used for recall
Start Form: Beginning navigation page to initiate new program or search program
Test Search: Just for visual at this point. Used to search for an employee’s programs
Work Assignments Phase 1 & 2: Part of step 3 (phases) in program creation. Also used for recall

 

[gemma-the-husky]

any business system is possible. it's a matter of structuring the data, understanding the business and designing processes that use the data appropriately

but using access well is not trivial. it#s far more powerful than excel. but not as accessible as excel. most users don't use VBA or macros in excel. it's not possible to do anything in access without code. indeed much of what we write is to restrict users being able to do things.

if this is your first serious project, you really need to get some professional help to get started the right way.

someone knowing excessive would get a very usable but basci system to do what you want in maybe 3-5 days. adding lots of bells and whistles, etc etc will easily double or treble this. over time you will spend more time tweaking nad improving as users want more stuff.

So, are there any systems to do this already out there? if so it is almost certainly probably cheaper to buy one. Against this, if you develop your own, you will get exactly what you want without needing to make compromises.

good luck.

as i say, in a comnmercial system, ppersuade your company to spend some money to help you start on the right foot. it would be worth paying a few hundred pounds to get the data structures sorted peoperly.

 

[Summit]

Thank you for your feedback, this is my first serious project. The one I did before was to track uniform marks (in a cadet program) and display that information in graphs, etc all which was navigated through forms. There were some automatical recalls so we could follow up with issues.

The program we use here is called ParkLane and has similar functionality, but the reporting we get from it is very subpar. It is not something that we can send to an employee...far too confusing.