ManualStep workflow step

A ManualStep is a step that waits for an external TRIGGER to be invoked or a TIMEOUT to pass. Unlike AutoStep Workflow Step or ActivityStep Workflow Step, a ManualStep must not have, and cannot have, GO branches leaving it. However, it can have zero or more TRIGGER branches or zero, or more, TIMEOUT branches. It must have at least one of these branches. Otherwise, there would be no way to leave this step.

The Workflows editor indicates a manual step with an hourglass icon in the box the represents that step.


Step with hourglass icon.

Manual Step with Timeout

If you specify a timeout for this step, then you also need to specify one of the following. (See also TIMEOUT for more discussion on these two values.)

Time Delta

The amount of time to wait or pause before continuing. Enter an integer number with its units (3600s, for example).

Time Absolute

A fixed point in time, as defined by a Gosu expression that resolves to a date. You can use the Gosu code to define the date, as in the following:

  PolicyPeriod.Cancellation.CancelProcessDate

Or, you can use Gosu to calculate the point in time, as in the following:

  PolicyPeriod.PeriodStart.addDays(-105)

This defines the terms of the TIMEOUT branch that leaves this step. To view these details later, click the branch (the link) between the two steps.

Manual Step with Trigger

If you specify a trigger for this step, then you need only enter the branch information. This defines the terms of the TRIGGER branch that leaves this step. To view these details later, click the branch (the link) between the two steps.

Create a manual workflow step

Procedure

  1. Right-click in the workflow workspace, and select New ManualStep.
  2. Enter the following fields. What you see in the dialog changes slightly depending on the value you set for Type (TIMEOUT or TRIGGER).

    Field

    Description

    Step ID

    ID of the step to create.

    Type

    Name of the activity.

    ID

    If you select the following Type value:

    • Trigger: A valid trigger key as defined in typelist WorkflowTriggerKey.
    • Timeout: ID of a branch leaving this step. It defaults to the To value if you do not supply a value.

    To

    ID of the step to which the workflow goes if the condition specified for this branch evaluates to true.

    Time Delta

    Specifies a fixed amount of time to pause before continuing. For example, the following sets the wait time to 60 minutes (one hour): 3600s,

    Time Absolute

    Specifies a fixed point in time. For example, the following sets the point to continue to after the policy CancelProcessDate:

        PolicyPeriod.Cancellation.CancelProcessDate

    If the WorkflowTriggerKey typelist does not contain any trigger keys, then you do not see the Trigger option in the dialog.

  3. Click on your newly created step. It is possible that there are additional tabs to fill out in the properties area at the bottom of the screen.