A WordPress plugin that transforms application intake and evaluations into a structured, reusable workflow with session controls, role-based reviewer access, and built-in scoring logic.
Our team needed a better way to run complex application cycles. The previous setup lived inside theme code, which made updates risky, reuse difficult, and program changes slower than they needed to be.
We solved this by creating the Applications and Evaluations plugin: a standalone architecture built around custom post types, session taxonomies, and ACF-powered form builders. Program managers can define application types, open and close sessions by date, set submission limits, and control out-of-session visibility, all in a structured workflow.
On the applicant side, the experience is clear and flexible. Users can start, save progress across multi-page forms, return later, and submit within active sessions. Submitted entries can be viewed in read-only mode, preserving transparency while protecting data integrity.
On the evaluator side, the plugin introduces controlled access by role or named users, links evaluation sessions to specific application sessions, and enforces one evaluation per reviewer per application. This keeps reviews accountable and eliminates duplicate scoring.
To support consistent decision making, we also implemented custom ACF score fields, including score, subtotal, and total fields with dynamic max-value displays. These work in both editable and view-only contexts, ensuring scores remain understandable from first review to final audit.
The outcome is a cleaner and more maintainable platform: faster to adapt, easier to scale across programs, and better aligned with long-term governance and reporting needs.
