Retriggering workflow automation for approvals

Molly Sudmeier · 01/04/22

I've reviewed the past discussions, but haven't found a clean way to do this. I have two-three levels of approval required on all IT contracts based on a form:

PMO Director (if Project-related is checked)
IT Owner (VP and Above for Subject area)
CIO

I divided it into two workflows: Project-related and not Project Related, but the problem comes up with denied requests.

I want folks to be able to resubmit their request for contract approval after they resolve the issue, so a I created a resubmit checkbox, but there are too many fail points (i.e. the PMO Director requests submit, and then the IT Owner, or the IT Owner denies twice and the CIO can no longer prompt the workflow to resubmit). I was thinking if they resubmit 3 times, then they just have to start over. I also thought about somehow unchecking the resubmit box via a workflow, but that is a terminal action in a workflow, it seems.

I don't want to build a workflow that is overly complex, but I haven't been able to see my way to making this simple and effective.

I saw some of the past posts, but they don't seem to quite solve for this. Any thoughts?

Andrée Starå · 01/06/22

Hi @Molly Sudmeier

I hope you're well and safe!

To add to Paul's excellent advice/answer.

You could send an Alert and use the URL-query feature to include the answers in a URL and let them update it.
Another option would be to send an Update Request.

Would any of those options work/help?

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic week & Happy New Year!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

✅Did my post(s) help or answer your question or solve your problem? Please support the Community by marking it Insightful/Vote Up or/and as the accepted answer. It will make it easier for others to find a solution or help to answer!

Paul Newcome · 01/05/22

My suggestion would be resubmitting the form when an entry is denied. This way you can capture exactly why it was denied and compare what changes were made until it was approved.

Molly Sudmeier · 01/05/22

So, is there a way they can easily copy all of the information over and don't have to re-enter it? But can do this multiple times?

Paul Newcome · 01/06/22

There would not be a "shortcut" for copying over. Is it only ever one field that would need changed, or is it possible that it could get rejected based on a number of fields?

Molly Sudmeier · 01/06/22

It'd typically be one field, so a lot of rework in re-entering it. It would be nice if you could trigger a workflow from a workflow! :)

Andrée Starå · 01/06/22