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1. Getting Started with Dusk FSM

4. Dusk FSM Setup Tips and Best Practice

## Getting Started with Dusk FSM: Setup Tips and Best Practices

### Start here before configuring forms, jobs, or workflows

This guide explains the **core setup principles** that apply to all Dusk FSM customers, regardless of industry or workflow.
Its purpose is to help you understand *how the platform fits together* so you can choose the right setup path before diving into detailed configuration.

This is the recommended **first article** to read when setting up Dusk FSM. Links to articles can be found at the bottom of the page.

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## 1. Decide How Work Is Captured

The first decision is how your team captures work in the field.

Ask yourself:

* Is work **scheduled and dispatched**, or completed **ad hoc**?
* Do field staff need jobs on a calendar, or just a form to complete?
* Is work repeatable, or one-off?

### Common approaches

* **Scheduled work** using Jobs, Calendar, or Gantt
* **Unscheduled data capture** using forms only

Choose one to start with. You can always add more later.

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## 2. Start with Forms, Not Scheduling

Forms define what data is captured in the field.
Jobs, scheduling, and dispatch all depend on this foundation.

Best practices:

* Design forms around real field workflows
* Keep forms focused on a single task or outcome
* Use AI-generated forms as a starting point, then refine

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## 3. Use Work Types to Standardise Repeatable Work

If your team performs the same type of work regularly, Work Types help standardise how that work is created, scheduled, and completed.

Work Types:

* Group forms together
* Define default behaviour for jobs
* Improve consistency for schedulers and field staff

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## 4. Choose the Right Scheduling Interface

Not all scheduled work looks the same.

General guidance:

* Use **Calendar View** for simple, day-to-day scheduling.
* Use **Gantt View** for longer-running or multi-day work where individual Staff and Contactor views are needed.
* Dispatch only when field staff should receive immediate notification. Schedule if you want your field Staff and Contractors to have a read-only view.

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## 5. Set Up Customers Early

Customers are central to most workflows in Dusk FSM. If you are an asset intensive business, check out the knowledge base article below.

Best practices:

* Create customers before creating jobs
* Use consistent naming
* Link work to customers wherever possible for reporting and billing

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## 6. Decide How Materials Will Be Managed

Even if billing is handled elsewhere, capturing materials consistently improves visibility and accuracy.

General guidance:

* Define materials centrally
* Capture actual usage in the field
* Keep units and naming consistent

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## 7. Build in Stages

Avoid trying to configure everything at once.

A recommended approach:

1. Start with one workflow
2. Test it with real field users
3. Refine forms and setup
4. Expand to additional use cases

This leads to better adoption and less rework.

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## 🔗 Related Setup Articles

* [What Is Dusk FSM and How Does It Work](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/1.-What-Is-Dusk-FSM-and-How-Does-It-Work)
* [Logging In and Setting Up Your Dusk FSM Account](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/Logging-In-and-Setting-Up-Your-Dusk-FSM-Account)
* [How to Create Your First Field Job in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/How-to-Create-Your-First-Field-Job-in-Dusk-FSM)
* [Assign Staff or Contractors in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/Assign-Staff-or-Contractors-in-Dusk-FSM)
* [How to Set Up Dusk FSM Integrations](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/How-to-Set-Up-Dusk-FSM-Integrations)

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## 🔗 Related Reference Articles

Use the links below to continue based on your chosen workflow.

### Forms and Work Types

[Create Field Forms with AI and Work Types in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/Create-Field-Forms-with-AI-in-Dusk-FSM)

### Unscheduled Field Data Capture

[Create Digital Work Order Forms Without Scheduling Jobs](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Forms/How-to-Create-a-Digital-Work-Order-Form-for-Field-Staff-Without-Scheduling-Jobs)

### Scheduling and Dispatch

[Use the Gantt View for Job Dispatch](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Field-Service-Management/How-to-use-the-Gantt-View-for-Job-Dispatch-in-Dusk-FSM)
[Use the Calendar View for Job Scheduling](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Field-Service-Management/How-to-Use-the-Calendar-View-in-Dusk-FSM)

### Customers and Materials

[Add and Manage Customers in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/Customers/How-do-I-Add-Customers-in-the-Dusk-FSM)
[Materials Setup and Management](https://help.duskmobile.com/topic/Materials)

### Assets and Materials

[Add and Manage Assets in Dusk FSM](https://help.duskmobile.com/article/1.-Getting-Started-with-Dusk-FSM/Asset-Based-Field-Service-Setup-in-Dusk-FSM)
[Materials Setup and Management](https://help.duskmobile.com/topic/Materials)

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Updated on December 23, 2025

4. Dusk FSM Setup Tips and Best Practice

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