Chapter 12: Complex Workflow Patterns

Chapter Objectives:

Implement sequential workflow patterns for ordered processes
Configure parallel task workflows for simultaneous execution
Design conditional branch workflows for dynamic routing
Create escalation workflows with time-based reassignment
Build recurring workflows for periodic processes
Understand task precedence and dependencies

Prerequisites:

Completed basic workflow configuration (Chapters 5-7)
Understanding of status rules and release conditions
Familiarity with triggers and scenarios
Experience with at least 2-3 workflow implementations

12.1. Sequential Workflows

Pattern Description: Tasks execute one after another in fixed order.

When to Use:

Process has clear ordered steps
Each step depends on previous completion
No parallelization possible or desired
Documentation trail important

Configuration Approach:

Example: Customer Onboarding:

Workflow: Customer Onboarding (CUST-ONBOARD)
Table: Customer (18)
Trigger: New customer created

Task 1 - Verify Contact Information:
  Code: VERIFY-INFO
  Status: Released (starts immediately)
  Assigned to: [18:29]

Best Practices:

Clear task descriptions indicating sequence
Due dates progressively later (stagger deadlines)
Each task verifies prerequisite completion
Manual override option for urgent cases

12.2. Parallel Task Workflows

Pattern Description: Multiple tasks start simultaneously, all must complete before proceeding.

When to Use:

Independent tasks can execute concurrently
Faster overall completion desired
Tasks assigned to different users/teams
No dependencies between parallel tasks

Configuration Approach:

Example: Sales Order Processing:

Workflow: Order Processing (ORD-PROCESS)
Table: Sales Header (36)
Trigger: Order released

Parallel Tasks (start simultaneously):

Task 1A - Credit Check:
  Code: CREDIT-CHECK
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: FIN-TEAM
  Due Date: +1D
  Activity Type: Manual
  
Task 1B - Inventory Allocation:
  Code: INV-ALLOC
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: WH-TEAM
  Due Date: +1D
  Activity Type: Manual
  
Task 1C - Shipping Schedule:
  Code: SHIP-SCHED
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: LOG-TEAM
  Due Date: +1D
  Activity Type: Manual

Synchronization Task:

Task 2 - Final Review:
  Code: FINAL-REVIEW
  Status: Open (waits for all parallel tasks)
  Assigned to: [36:29]

Synchronization Strategies:

Strategy 1: All Tasks Required:

Strategy 2: Majority Required (Manual Config):

Best Practices:

Same due dates for all parallel tasks
Clear indication of parallel execution in descriptions
Monitor for bottlenecks (one slow task delays all)
Reassign capability if team overloaded

12.3. Conditional Branch Workflows

Pattern Description: Different tasks execute based on data conditions (if-then-else logic).

When to Use:

Process varies by data values
Different approval levels for different amounts
Route to different teams based on criteria
Mutually exclusive execution paths

Configuration Approach:

Example: Credit Approval Workflow:

Workflow: Credit Limit Change (CREDIT-CHANGE)
Table: Customer (18)
Trigger: Credit limit modified

Conditional Branching:

Branch A - Low Amount (<\,000):
  Task: Supervisor Approval
    Code: SUPER-APPROVE
    Status: Open
    Assigned to: SUPERVISOR
    Due Date: +2D
    Activity Type: Conditional
    
    Line 9999 (Release):
      Condition: Customer."Credit Limit (LCY)" <= 10000
      Condition: Customer."Credit Limit (LCY)" > 0
      
Branch B - Medium Amount (\,001-\,000):
  Task: Manager Approval
    Code: MGR-APPROVE
    Status: Open
    Assigned to: MANAGER
    Due Date: +3D
    Activity Type: Conditional
    
    Line 9999 (Release):
      Condition: Customer."Credit Limit (LCY)" > 10000
      Condition: Customer."Credit Limit (LCY)" <= 50000
      
Branch C - High Amount (>\,

Mutually Exclusive Conditions:

Best Practices:

Document branching logic clearly
Test all branches thoroughly
Handle edge cases (what if amount = 0?)
Consider future branches (extensibility)

12.4. Escalation Workflows

Pattern Description: Tasks automatically reassign to higher authority based on time or conditions.

When to Use:

SLA enforcement critical
Overdue tasks need escalation
Management oversight required for delays
Bottleneck prevention important

Configuration Approach:

Custom Status Rule:
  Field No: 11 (Assigned to)
  Value: MANAGER-ID
  
  Validation Formula (Condition):
    Critical Date <= [TODAY]

Example: Auto-Escalation Workflow:

Workflow: Sales Quote Follow-up (QUOTE-FOLLOWUP)
Table: Sales Header (36)
Trigger: Quote created

Task: Follow Up Call
  Code: FOLLOWUP-CALL
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: [36:29] (Salesperson)
  Due Date: +3D
  Critical Date: +2D
  Activity Type: Interaction
  Contact No.: [36:5052]
  Template Code: PHONE CALL

Escalation Rule:

Custom Status Rule (Line 10001):
  Description: "Escalate to manager if uncompleted by critical date"
  Field No: 11 (Assigned to)
  Value: SALES-MGR
  
  Validation Formula:
    Condition 1: Critical Date reached
      Table ID: 72777606 (WorkFlow Entries)
      Field No.: 9 (Critical Date)
      Filter String: <=[TODAY]

Multi-Level Escalation:

Status Rule 1 (Line 10001) - First Escalation:
  Field No: 11 (Assigned to)
  Value: MANAGER
  Condition: Critical Date <= [TODAY] AND Assigned to = SALESPERSON

Status Rule 2 (Line 10002) - Second Escalation:
  Field No: 11 (Assigned to)
  Value: DIRECTOR
  Condition: Due Date < [TODAY]

Best Practices:

Clear escalation criteria
Notify all parties of escalation
Document escalation reason
Prevent infinite loops (check already escalated)

12.5. Recurring Workflows

Pattern Description: Workflows trigger periodically for recurring processes.

When to Use:

Annual reviews required
Monthly reconciliations
Quarterly audits
Periodic maintenance tasks

Configuration Approach:

Example: Annual Customer Review:

Workflow: Annual Customer Review (CUST-ANNUAL-REV)
Table: Customer (18)
Recurring Frequency: Annually

Trigger (Initiated By):
  Condition: Last review date > 12 months ago
    (Conceptual - may require custom field tracking)

Task 1 - Update Contact Information:
  Code: UPDATE-INFO
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: [18:29]

Implementation Considerations:

Best Practices:

Track last execution date (custom field may be needed)
Handle missed periods (if system down)
Notification before review due
Flexible rescheduling if timing conflicts

12.6. Multi-Stage Approval Workflows

Pattern Description: Sequential or parallel approvals at different organizational levels.

Sequential Approvals:

Parallel Approvals:

Example: Purchase Order Approval:

Workflow: PO Approval (PO-APPROVE)
Table: Purchase Header (38)
Trigger: PO amount > \,000

Sequential Approval Workflow:

Task 1 - Department Manager Approval:
  Code: DEPT-APPROVE
  Status: Released
  Assigned to: DEPT-MGR
  Due Date: +2D
  Activity Type: Conditional
  Description: "Approve PO [38:3] for [38:179]"
  
  Line 10000 (Completion):
    Manual approval required

Task 2 - Finance Manager Approval:
  Code: FIN-APPROVE
  Status: Open
  Assigned to: FIN-MGR
  Due Date: +4D
  Activity Type: Conditional
  
  Line 9999 (Release):
    Condition: Task DEPT-APPROVE Status = Completed
    Condition: Purchase Header.Amount > 5000
    
  Line 10000 (Completion):
    Manual approval required

Task 3 - Executive Approval (if > \,

Conditional Approvals:

Different approval paths based on amount or other criteria

Amount <= \,000:
  Single approval (Department Manager)
  
Amount > \,000 AND <= \,000:
  Two approvals (Department + Finance)
  
Amount > \,

12.7. Task Precedence (Dependencies)

Feature: QUA Precedance table defines prerequisites between tasks.

Current Status: Table structure exists, enforcement logic status uncertain.

Configuration:

Workaround (Using Status Rules):

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