InfoPath Dev

Hi guys, got a fairly complicated workflow approval request from the business and having some serious issues trying to map it out. Thought of asking for some advice here as you do :)

The title probably doesn't give the workflow any justice, so bear with me to try and explain exactly how this is supposed to work. I have also attached a simple workflow process of the logistics on how this is supposed to operate also to try and clear any doubt.

The main issue I am trying to get my head around is after the Step 1 approval has been granted, how do I branch the workflow and run the 2 approval processes side by side?

Bit of background:

• Using SharePoint 2010 list as the main data source
• Set up content approval on the list (not sure if required)
• Currently its a manual custom list workflow in SPD
• I have created a step for each process for the workflow, i.e. 1 step for Level 1 Check, Level 2 Check, Level 2a Check etc
  
• Using the Start Approval Process Action, Variable isItemApproved, then Set content approval to Approved -> Else set content Approval to Rejected
• If approved, then set custom column "CurrentView" to display the next step
  
• If CurrentView is equal to CurrentStep, run the next start approval process etc

You still with me? hehe

Ok, so the above workflow from here seems to work ok. It creates specific tasks for the approvers in the SP Tasks list, changes the CurrentView column to the specific view but runs in a sequential order as designed in SPD. So once Level 1 Check is approved, Level 2 Check follows, then Level 3 etc

What I need to be able to do is, once Level 1 has been approved, split the workflow process and run two separate streams of workflows and approval processes (as displayed in the image), both running simultaneously.

Can this be done? 

I hope I have been able to explain myself properly here and you guys understand what I am trying to achieve.

Many thanks, looking forward to hearing back

Sanchez

One solution may be to create two separate Approval Sections 2A and 2B in the same view.

You would have a few variables

FormStatus (relates to overall form  status)

ApprovalStatus2A - relates to the section 2A approval

ApprovalStatus 2B - relates to the section 2B approval.

I assume that you would have a different view for state 2 and stage 3 approval

You add some logic to the FormOpen event which says that

-       If the ApprovalStatus2A = pending

o    Then don’t lock the Approval Section A

-       IF ApprovalStatus2B = pending

o    Then don’t lock Approval Section B

Then perhaps once both 2A and 2B approvalstatus = approved, third FormStatus variable would be made to equal Stage3 and Form Open logic would open the form in State3 View.

Essentially this keeps most of the workflow logic within the form itself.

The SharePoint workflow would simply direct traffic (ie send out emails to appropriate users) each time the form is changed. So in that regard, you would need to make the workflow run each time the form is changed.

Hope this makes sense.

Regards,

Eugene