We are taking the first step towards a new EngagementHQ interface for administrators to help you design and build tools efficiently. The FAQs in this article can help you understand what has changed, what you can do, and where will we go from here.
What is the Tool Builder?
The Tool Builder is our updated tool creation interface, which will allow you granular control over the functionalities of your tools. The first iteration of the Tool Builder will apply to the Ideas tool and will be released on September 16th, 2025.
What are the key features?
The key features of the Tool Builder are:
The preview pane, showing all edits you make to the tool without admins having to save, exit the tool, and use the preview button. Admins can also post ideas directly in the preview to prepare voting-only idea boards before you publish the tool.
Device controls in the preview pane, so you can see how the tool will look across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices.
A status drop-down in the Tool Builder to help streamline the tool creation, publication, and archiving process.
A simplified text editor to draft your tool Description and a field to add or edit an Archival message at any point in the tool creation process.
Simplified setting labels to improve the user experience.
A new setting to limit the amount of votes a participant can cast. This setting will help when using the Ideas board as a prioritization tool, as users will only be able to vote the set limit of times.
Why is this an important update?
This is an important update because it is laying the groundwork for future improvements to the EngagementHQ tool suite. The simplified interface will allow our team to easily bring new features and fix existing issues.
Can I use it for all tools?
Not yet, but there is enough variation in the Ideas Tool Builder to allow you to use the same tool for different purposes.
Our team is also working on various improvements for the Tool Builder, using this iteration as the basis for additional features.
What is the benefit of the Tool Builder?
It will help streamline your consultation processes and provide greater control over how participants can engage using your tools.
For example, admins can set a vote limit and limit dates for voting to create an Ideas board on which participants first share their ideas and then have a set amount of votes to cast as priorities. Or, admins can choose to toggle off all settings so that only registered participants can contribute and they can only post text contributions.
How do I use the Tool Builder?
Admins can access the Tool Builder by adding the Ideas tool to their project, or selecting the Edit button for an existing Ideas tool.
In the Tool Builder, admins can see a preview of the Ideas tool, switching between the Info and Settings tabs to make edits. Please note that changes made to a published Ideas board are effective immediately.
Can I still share and embed the Ideas tool engagement banner?
Yes, admins can still select the Share button in the tool tab to retrieve an embed code or iframe for the Ideas tool engagement banner.
What kind of engagement activities can I do with the Ideas tool?
Here are some activities you can use the Ideas tool for:
Generating ideas about redevelopment projects, such as parks or precincts.
Sourcing feedback about projects or plans your council has created.
Creating vision boards of what your community sees as the future of your council.
Competitions or contests in which users can upload photos and text and vote for their favorites.
Voting on a curated list of topics or projects to understand community priorities.