Julian,
Yes, there's a steep learning curve for new team members using LEED Online v3. A couple of suggestions that may help:

- The forms do get saved online, so can be partially completed and finished at a later date. The entries in the form fields are saved in the LOL database, but you're correct you can't save a working copy of the credit form locally on your computer. You can print a completed form for your reference, however.

- It can be very helpful to bring everyone who's working on documentation in for a meeting, gather around a projector, and walk through the LEEDOnline forms on screen. Point out how to access the scorecard and forms, how they get saved, and what happens when you return to a form still in progress. Note that people will see different credits depending on what's been assigned by the project administrator.

- Point out the version number at the bottom corner of the credit forms - ones marked "Beta" or with low numbers can be buggy. Sometimes logging out and back in can clear up some of the bugs. If a form just won't work use the check box option at the end of a credit form that allows for an alternative compliance path - explain in the narrative what's not working, and how you believe your documentation is complete. Note that some forms aren't complete until a supporting document is uploaded or all the right boxes are checked. If you have to put a check mark on a statement that isn't really true to get the form to work, use the alternative narrative at the end to explain.

- If you are overseeing the submission of all the documentation, you may want to review everyone's credit forms for completeness and consistency before each credit is marked complete.

- To review the credit forms, you can print each one out, mark them up with corrections, and return those to your team members for revision when they log in and update them on line.

- To reduce paper use, some offices have print drivers installed that allow users to print a document from the web browser window and create a PDF file - Bluebeam is one such program. This allows you to "save" a local copy of the completed form on your computer instead of making a printed hard copy. A PDF editing program like Bluebeam then allows you to mark-up the PDF of the completed credit form with your own notes and corrections and email it to the team member.

- Lots of people have done this process successfully, but most have probably run into some confusion or frustration at one point or another. Plan to spend some time getting familiar with the interface so you can coach the rest of the team.

- The sooner you get team members to log in to LEED online and start their documentation the better. Soon they may be working on other projects and it quickly gets harder to get their attention, find the necessary documentation and remember the relevant details. Many project managers will withhold payment until LEED documentation is submitted. Remind the team that the LEED reviewers will usually ask for clarifications and additional documentation on some credits after the initial review, often1 - 2 months after submission, so plan accordingly.

- Others may have additional suggestions for making the process go more smoothly - feel free to add any!