Guidance elements
Article Content
Guidance elements give staff context inside a workflow — written notes, a reference photo, or a short video walkthrough. They don't capture a response. Staff read or watch them, then move on to the next step.
What guidance elements are
A guidance element is a read-only step. Staff see it, learn from it, scroll past it. Nothing is saved to the workflow run because there's no input to save.
Use them to set context before a tricky step, show staff what "good" looks like, or embed training material directly inside the workflow they're filling in.
All guidance elements at a glance
| Element name | What it does | Plan required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written guidance | Shows staff a rich-text note (formatting, links). | Basic | Use for safety instructions, context, reminders. |
| Photo guidance | Shows staff a reference image. | Standard | Use to show what "good" looks like — a clean prep bench, a correctly stocked shelf. |
| Video guidance | Shows staff a short video walkthrough. | Standard | Use for training clips or process demos. |
Common configuration
Guidance elements don't have a Name or Instructions field — they're not capturing data, so there's nothing to label in reports. The content of the guidance is the whole point.
Each type has its own single content field:
- Written guidance -- a rich-text editor where you write the body. Supports basic formatting and links.
- Photo guidance -- an upload button. Tap Upload photo and pick an image file. You can replace or remove it with the red X.
- Video guidance -- an upload button. Tap Upload video and pick a video file. You can replace or remove it the same way.
Both photo and video guidance lock unless you're on Standard or higher. The element shows a small lock icon in the picker when your plan doesn't include them.
How guidance renders on mobile
Guidance elements appear in line with the rest of the workflow, full-width on the screen. Staff scroll through them like any other step — the difference is there's nothing to tap, type, or record. They just read or watch and move on.
If you put guidance just before an input or choice element, staff see the guidance first, then the input below it. That's the most common pattern: explain, then ask.
Use cases
- Pre-task safety instructions -- a written guidance block at the start of a workflow that lists the PPE staff need, or the hazards to watch for.
- Reference photo -- a photo guidance element showing what a finished prep bench should look like, just before the "take a photo of your bench" step.
- Training video -- a short video guidance element before a process step staff don't do often, like a deep clean or an equipment changeover.
- Context for the next question -- a written guidance block that explains why the next rating-scale or choice element matters.
Tips
- Keep written guidance short. Staff on a phone won't scroll through paragraphs. Aim for a couple of sentences, or a short bulleted list.
- Use photo guidance to anchor expectations. "Clean to this standard" with a photo is far stronger than "clean thoroughly".
- Keep video guidance under 60 seconds wherever you can. Long videos kill momentum during a shift.
- Pair guidance with the input that comes next. A photo guidance showing "what good looks like", followed by a photo input asking staff to capture their version, is one of the strongest patterns in Pilla.
- Guidance elements don't show up in exports or reports — they only live on the canvas and the mobile flow. If you need staff to confirm they read something, use a checklist or single-choice element after the guidance.