Required fields when creating a new case

[timfluhr]

Hi.

Is it possible to change the 'Client' field or any of the other required fields from from required to not required when creating a new case?

Thanks!

-tim

[Coleman Watts]

The schema does not currently allow for a case without a client. What's the scenario?

[timfluhr]

Currently we are using cases in a pretty traditional manner--case management for legal representation of a client.  So when we open a new cases there is always a client to associate the case with.

We have been discussing using cases to also track activities on advocacy work or legislative work we are doing.  In this situation there is really no client.  We would simply use cases to track activities on an advocacy campaign or legislative effort (case types) our staff are working on.

I can just create dummy contacts like "Advocacy Initiative" or "Legislative Campaign" or whatever.  I'm trying to figure out the best approach.

-tim

[jaapjansma]

Why not use Civi Campaign and link the activities to the campaign?

[timfluhr]

Using Civi Campaign is a less attractive option for this particular use case I think.  Case allows for workflows, which often exist in our Legislation Campaigns or Advocacy Initiatives.  It's also easier to add activities directly to a case through the case management interface.  If we use campaigns we'd have to add activities through contact records (I think).  Last, we like the way Case aggregates all case activity in the case record.

[demeritcowboy]

The dummy contact approach seems reasonable, and in fact if the contact really doesn't matter you'd only need one dummy contact for all your cases.

[Coleman Watts]

Might be fun for everyone in your office to vote on naming the dummy

[timfluhr]

Ha.  They'll probably name it Tim