Hello,
You have a difficult task ahead of you, but I am interested in the solution you create. I am not aware of any current functionality available in Learning that would both (1) allow users to enter free-text data into a field that is reportable and also (2) be required for only those users who go overdue on an assignment. I do not think the second part is possible - requiring an item to act differently based on whether or not the due date is in the future or the past. But I have a couple of thoughts as to how to gather the justification data from users. Each suggestion has issues, though.
1. Item Evaluation Survey that is required for item completion. One required question with free-text answer box: "Did you complete this training on time? If yes, enter YES in the box. If no, enter NO and then provide a justification." By making the survey required for item completion, you can force users to complete it, and by having the question be required, you can require users to enter an answer (I think this is possible). But this process treats all users the same and also relies on the Honor System for users to answer truthfully. And you will need to play with reports to see if the survey reports allow you to retrieve the data in a way that is meaningful for your business process.
2. If you using the Electronic Signature feature, you could train your users to enter a justification into the Comments box. No way to force users to enter the data, though. And you will need to play with the Learning History and Learning History Audit reports to make sure you can report on the E-Sig Comments field in a way that works for you.
3. If you use SCORM 2004, there may be a way to use one of the standard reports (something like User Score Data maybe?) to see user answers to quiz questions published in SCORM 2004. We don't use SCORM 2004, so I'm not sure if this is possible, but if you use it, perhaps play with it to see if you can get it to work for you. But again, I don't think there is any way to make a piece of online content work differently based on user due date.
Good luck with this inspector request. It's sounds like a tough challenge!
Regards,
Mary Katherine
