Overview
Reports are the primary way inspections and observations are documented in SwiftComply Stormwater. A form defines the fields, layout, and PDF output. A report is a single completed inspection an inspector creates and fills out from a form. Reports are created at the site level and progress through a status workflow.
Key concepts
Forms
💡 Organizations with Form Builder access can create and edit their own forms and PDF outputs. If your organization doesn't yet have access, forms are managed by the SwiftComply team — contact your SwiftComply representative.
The form's fields and structure are built in the Input Builder — see Building Forms with the Input Builder.
Each form defines:
The form fields (text, dropdown, date, checkbox, signature, GPS coordinates, photos, etc.).
Prepopulation rules: which fields auto-fill with site data, user data, weather data, or previous-report data.
Composite fields: complex elements like deficiency logging, BMP entries, enforcement actions, and monitoring data.
Output settings: PDF orientation, weather forecast attachment, and other rendering options. The PDF layout itself can be fully customized with the PDF Builder — see Designing PDF Outputs with the PDF Builder.
Form field types
A form can include any of these field types:
Text / String: free-form text input.
Date: date picker.
Time: time picker.
Select / Dropdown: choose from a list of options.
Boolean / Checkbox: yes/no toggle.
Signature: digital signature capture.
Geocoordinates: GPS coordinate capture.
Images / Photos: photo uploads.
Multi-value: multiple values in one field.
Groups: sections that organize related fields together.
Prepopulated fields
Forms can be configured so that some fields auto-fill with data the system already knows. Common sources include:
Site data: site name, address, owner contact info, coordinates, status, notes.
User data: inspector name, email, phone, title, certificate ID.
Date data: today's date, tomorrow's date, dates from a previous report.
Weather data: last storm start/end dates, latest storm since the previous report, ongoing storm data.
Instance data: organization name, Site Profile title.
Previous report: any field value from the most recent previous report can be carried forward.
Whether a prepopulated field is editable or locked depends on how the form is configured. Some prepopulated fields are meant as a starting point and can be changed in the report; others are locked. There is no visual color difference between prepopulated and non-prepopulated fields, all editable fields look the same in the report.
Composite fields
Composite fields integrate other parts of SwiftComply directly into the report:
Deficiencies: log and manage deficiencies inside the report. Can prepopulate with currently open deficiencies or deficiencies from the previous report.
BMP Implementation: document BMP conditions and tie them to deficiencies.
Enforcement Action: record enforcement actions within the report.
Monitoring Sites: enter monitoring data for designated sampling points.
Education Interaction: log education outreach interactions.
Report lifecycle
Reports move through a status workflow:
Draft: the report has been created and is being filled out. It shows as
[DRAFT]in lists. Use Save Draft to save your progress, including photos and other attachments.Published / Submitted: the report has been finalized and submitted. The publisher's user and timestamp are recorded.
Approved: if your workflow has approval enabled, an administrator reviews and approves the report. Approver and approval date are tracked.
Emailed (optional): the report can be emailed to stakeholders.
Not all instances use the approval workflow. If approval is not configured, reports go directly from Published to their final status.
FAQ
Q: Why are some fields already filled in when I open a report?
A: Forms can be configured to prepopulate certain fields automatically (for example, today's date, your name, the site address). Whether you can edit a prepopulated value depends on how the form was set up; some can be changed and some are locked.
Q: How do I save my progress on a report so I can come back later?
A: Click Save Draft while filling out the report. Your draft, including any uploaded photos, is preserved and you can return to it later from the site's report list.
Q: Can I use the same form across multiple programs?
A: Forms are created per program. Similar forms can be set up for different programs by SwiftComply, but they are separate form records.
Q: Who can change forms?
A: Administrators in organizations with Form Builder access can create and edit forms and PDF outputs directly — see Getting Started with the Form Builder. If your organization doesn't have Form Builder access, contact your SwiftComply representative.