How Case Management Works
Unlike traditional mobile data collection tools that use one-off survey forms, case management in CommCare links your forms together, allowing you to seamlessly track subjects and analyze changes over time.
Field staff register a case once, then simply update the case file during follow up visits.
Field staff review case information on their mobile device, even when offline, to inform data collection and improve service delivery.
Admins remotely access case data and aggregated form submissions for analysis and reporting.
The Old Way
Repetitive Surveys = Dirty Data
One-off surveys require field staff to record duplicate information — like subject IDs — at every visit, increasing the chance of data entry errors.
Unlinked survey forms must be manually aggregated before program performance can be analyzed and reports created.
The CommCare Way
Actionable and Trusted Data
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Avoid errors
Store case data on mobile devices, allowing field teams to omit repetitive survey questions.
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Calculate indicators
Automatically link and aggregate survey forms, allowing you to calculate indicators like number of patients served or monthly gains in crop yield.
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Enforce data collection protocols
Use existing case information to ensure data collection happens at the right time, with the right people.
The Old Way
Duplicate Tasks = Slow Work
Field staff must collect repeat information like demographic indicators at every follow up, adding unnecessary time to each visit.
Information collected in prior visits cannot be shared or accessed by field teams, making it impossible for frontline workers to collaborate.
The CommCare Way
Empowered Field Teams
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Work smarter
Automate basic survey tasks, helping your field team focus on high-value work like building relationships with program beneficiaries.
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Inform your field staff
Enable field teams to conduct informed follow up visits and provide actionable advice by viewing a case's historical information, even when offline.
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Encourage collaboration
Empower teams to work together by sharing cases and making referrals, all within the CommCare app.
The Old Way
Inaccessible Data = Poor Decision Support
Survey data is not saved locally, meaning offline field teams do not have access to real-time decision support.
Longitudinal information is not stored in-app, making it impossible to trigger events like SMS reminders or critical warnings.
The CommCare Way
Amplified Service Delivery
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Deliver in-app advice messages
Display dynamic, targeted advice based on a case's prior and current standing.
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View historical data
Field teams have access to a case's past activity on their mobile device, even when offline.
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Trigger activities
Automatically send SMS messages or create referrals when a case meets a given set of conditions.
A Better Way to Collect Longitudinal Data
One-off Survey Forms | Case Management | |
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Store previously collected data on mobile devices | ||
Analyze individual survey form responses | ||
Aggregate data from relevant survey forms into cases | ||
Employ skip logic to customize forms | ||
Use existing case data to ask contextual questions | ||
View historical case information offline | ||
Share cases and refer subjects to other CommCare users | ||
Provide simple counseling messages | ||
Display dynamic advice based on a case’s history | ||
Manually trigger referrals | ||
Send SMS messages when cases meet a given set of conditions |
CommCare's case management features undoubtedly allowed us to provide a quicker response and subsequent disbursement of aid to needy persons.
Scherrie Griffin — Government of the British Virgin Islands
See Case Management in Action
Want to know how your organization can benefit from case management?
Tell us about your program and we'll reach out to schedule a hands-on demo.