CPS WebTips: Composer Evolve-Task Locking Explained

In this CPS WebTips, we will be covering task locking in Composer Evolve. What is task locking? Task locking is functionality within the Composer tool that can be implemented to allow users to lock a task either automatically or manually. This prevents other users from opening the task and taking action on the task while another user is already working the task. This is especially helpful for solutions that interact with SAP because data could be duplicated or overwritten if two users are working a task simultaneously. What types of task locking are available? -There are three types of task locking. Two types (automatic and manual) come standard in Composer v12 and above. The other is a hybrid of the two that requires some development. -Automatic task locking is where a user opens the task, and the form is automatically locked for a specified period of time. This lock duration is specified by the developer during the development of the solution. It can be set in minutes or hours. The form is automatically unlocked when the user closes the form or completes the task. -Manual task locking is where a user opens the task and must click a button to the lock the task. Once this button is clicked an unlock button appears and can be clicked at any time. If the user closes the form the task is not unlocked. It will remain locked until the user opens the task again and clicks the unlock button or until the task is complete. -The hybrid approach does not use the standard locking feature in Composer. This is more of a development technique. There are two reasons for this approach: --Reduce the number of tasks in user’s task lists. This approach requires the user to assign the task to themselves and therefore removes the task from the team queue. --The other reason is to provide better visibility to which tasks are assigned to which users. -----When using the manual task locking functionality, the user who has locked the task has no visibility that they have the task locked because the form does not unlock when closed. This could cause a task to be locked for an extended time period. -The hybrid approach uses a loop and two swim lanes, one swim lane for the team and one for the individual who will complete the task. In the team swim lane, a task is assigned to the entire team. Anyone from the team can open that task and assign the task to themselves. Then in the individual swim lane the task where the actual work will be completed is assigned to that user. There is a button on the form that will allow the user to “release” the task if it is determined they should not complete the task. When the task is released, the workflow will restart the loop and assign the task back to the team swim lane. Then another team member can open the task and assign to themselves. This loop would continue until the task was complete. CPS has been tactically executing on implementations of digital transformation platforms for years focusing on business process automation, data & analytics and RPA. Our team would like to share this knowledge with you on our YouTube channel via CPS WebTips. Clear Process Solutions An SAP Optimization Company https://www.clearprocesssolutions.com/