Scores and decisions

Scores and decisions in assessment templates help automate decision-making. You can assign numerical values (scores) to specific fields in a template, such as Checkbox, Radio Button, or Yes/No fields. These scores are used to calculate a total score based on user responses. A Decision field then uses the total score to determine an outcome, such as Yes or No.

Fields that support scoring

You can assign scores to each option in the following fields in a template:

• Checkbox
• Radio Button
• Yes/No
• Yes/No With Reason

How scores and decisions work together

Scores are weighted numerical values that you can assign to the options in the supported fields. When a user conducts an assessment, their responses in these fields are converted into scores. These scores are added together to calculate the total score.

A Decision field automates decision-making based on the total score. You can configure the Decision field with a scoring threshold to determine the outcome:

• If the total score meets or exceeds the threshold, the Decision field shows Yes.
• If the total score is below the threshold, the Decision field shows No.

When a user submits an assessment, a Decision field showing Yes may include a button to start another assessment. This button is available only if you selected an assessment template when configuring the Decision field.

Example

Suppose that you have created a template with three Yes/No fields and one Decision field configured as follows.

Field	Name	Score
Yes/No	Does the processing activity present a high level of risk for the rights and freedoms of the concerned data subjects?	Yes: 2 No: 0
Yes/No	Does the processing activity make innovative use of new technological or organizational solutions?	Yes: 1 No: 0
Yes/No	Does the processing activity match or combine data sets?	Yes: 1 No: 0

Field	Name	Score threshold	Assessment template
Decision	Is a DPIA required for the Business Process asset?	2	DPIA

Then, when a user conducts an assessment, the scores for their responses are added together to calculate the total score. The Decision field uses this total score to determine whether it meets the scoring threshold of 2.

If the total score is less than 2, the decision for the question Is a DPIA required for this asset? is No.

If the total score is 2 or greater, the decision for the question Is a DPIA required for this asset? is Yes.

Configure scores and decisions

You can assign weighted scores to certain fields in an assessment template. These scores determine the decision shown to users in the Decision field when they conduct an assessment.

Prerequisites

You have a global role that has the Assessments > Manage Templates global permission.

Steps

1. Open or create a template.
2. Add Yes/No questions to the template, or work with the existing Yes/No questions.
   You can also use Yes/No with Justification questions.
3. Add fields that support scoring, or use the existing fields.
   
4. Specify the following properties.
   

   Property	Description
   Title	The question or statement. Example "Does the processing activity present a high level of risk for the rights and freedoms of the concerned data subjects?"
   Score	The score for the question or statement. Note The score is added to the total if the user responds "Yes" to the question. If the user responds "No", the score is ignored.

5. Specify the following settings for the fields.
   

   Setting	Description
   Name	Question shown to users when conducting an assessment. Example Does the processing activity present a high level of risk for the rights and freedoms of the concerned data subjects?
   Scores	Score for each option in the question.

6. In a Decision question, specify the following properties.
   

   Property	Description
   Title	The question that appears in the final decision. Consider the fact that the decision value shown in the final decision will be "Yes" or "No". This should be in the form of a question. If the score threshold is met, the value returned is "Yes". If not, the value returned is "No". Example "Is a DPIA required for the Business Process asset?"
   Score threshold	The limit at, or beyond, which the Decision question returns the value "Yes".
   Assessment template	The assessment that should be conducted if the scoring threshold is met. Note When the assessment is submitted for review, the assessment details page includes a button to launch the assessment you specify here.

7. Specify the following settings for a Decision field.
   

   Setting	Description
   Name	Question shown to users as the final decision when conducting an assessment. Consider the fact that the decision value shown in the final decision will be Yes or No. If the score threshold is met, Yes is shown. If not, No is shown. Example "Is a DPIA required for the Business Process asset?"
   Score Threshold	Value at or above which the Decision field shows Yes.
   Assessment Template	Assessment template that should be used to conduct an assessment if the scoring threshold is met. Note When the assessment is submitted, the assessment details page includes a button to launch an assessment. That assessment uses the template you specify here.