QGIS common Attributes - automating "add Vector Layer"

Question

I am hoping to get some ideas about useful ways to simplify adding vector layers with common attributes, particularly for non-GIS users (i am a borderline non-GIS user) in QGIS Las Palmas.

Generally speaking the group that I deal with know how to add vector layers and draw up polygons of sample sites. However I find that they don't tend to add the attributes required when adding polygons to the model (both in terminology or the right attributes).

The attributes feed into a table in the composer manager , which is used to display site information on published maps. If they don't do this I have to go and make amends, however we have around 50 sample sites going in at one time.

Ideally when they add a vector layer , I would like this to display a fixed set of fields to enter, so that we have common information for each sample site polygon.

I am wondering whether there is either a way to

1. add layers from a "template"
2. an existing plugin that could do this
3. whether I should consider coding something?

Answer 1

What about this workflow:

1. Create your template Shapefile (empty) in a way that everyone can access it (on a server for example)
2. Make people load this empty shapefile in QGIS
3. Explain you collegue how to save a layer (Right-click --> Save As) with the load saved shapefile option if they don't know
4. Remove the template of the Qgis Layers to avoid confusion
5. Digitize your object in the saved shapefile which is a copy of your template

So basically, people will create copy of your template shapefile before starting digitizing.