Making New Forms
New forms can be necessary—for example, when you launch a new program. It is important to analyze the need for a new form before you produce it.
Before developing a new form, carefully consider the following:
- Is a form really required?
- What information will the form gather?
- Why is this information needed?
- What service or business operation does this information feed into?
- Are the other ways to obtain the required information?
- Will a new form increase administrative burden for staff or clients?
If you determine that a new form really is required, consider:
- Who will use this form? How will they access the form?
- How will the data be collected, input, stored, and managed?
- Should this form be developed as an online form that can be completed and submitted online via the government website? What are the costs and benefits of producing an online form?
- Is there a financial transaction involved with this form? Is online payment a cost-effective or feasible option?
- Is a signature required on this form? If yes, is this a legal or financial requirement or is it a habit to collect a signature? If a signature is truly required, the client should be required to date the form as well. Refer to the Nova Scotia Government authentication policy (Information Management) for more information.
- How confidential or sensitive is the information to be collected? How secure does it need to be? (Online forms are more secure than forms that are e-mailed as attachments).
Better Forms for Better Regulation offers a step-by-step approach to creating and renovating forms.
For new forms, begin with step 3, "Analyze the Form."