Description:

The Close Tasks workflow step is used to close open tasks for the current process instance.

The step supports:

• Closing open tasks associated with the process instance.
• Optionally selecting a specific workflow step to complete.
• Using the step as part of workflow completion or cleanup logic.
• Continuing the workflow through the True return path.
• Using the False return path for an alternative workflow path.
• Completing task-related processing without requiring additional input properties.

Usage:

The Close Tasks step is typically placed when a workflow needs to complete or close outstanding tasks associated with the current process instance.

It can be useful near the end of a workflow, during cancellation or termination processing, or when a workflow needs to explicitly complete an outstanding task before continuing.

A typical workflow pattern is:

Process Activity → Close Tasks → Continue Process

When you need to target a specific step, you can configure the Select step property before execution.

The step can then be used by subsequent workflow processing to:

• Complete outstanding task-related processing.
• Close tasks before terminating a process.
• Clean up open tasks during an alternative workflow path.
• Complete a selected workflow step.
• Continue processing after task closure.
• Route processing through the True or False return paths.

Typical Workflow Suggestions:

Close Tasks Before Completing a Process

Use the step near the end of a workflow to close outstanding tasks before the process continues to its final activity.

Example:

Complete Processing → Close Tasks → End Process

This provides a point in the workflow to close open tasks before the process reaches its final state.

Close Tasks During Process Cancellation

Use this step when a workflow cancellation path needs to close outstanding tasks.

Example:

Cancellation Request → Close Tasks → End Process

This helps ensure task-related activities are addressed when the workflow follows a cancellation path.

Complete a Specific Workflow Step

Use the optional Select step property when a particular process step needs to be selected for completion.

Example:

Evaluate Condition → Close Tasks → Continue Process

Configure Select step with the appropriate workflow step that should be completed. The XML defines this property as an optional selection of a step to complete from the process. CloseOpenTasks CloseOpenTasks

Close Open Tasks Before an Alternative Process Path

Use the step when a workflow needs to close outstanding tasks before switching to an alternative processing path.

Example:

Evaluate Request → Close Tasks → Alternative Process

Place the step between the decision and the subsequent processing activity.

Handle Task Closure Before Process Termination

Use the step as part of workflow termination logic when outstanding tasks should be addressed before the process ends.

Example:

Termination Condition → Close Tasks → Log/Notify → End Process

You can connect the True and False return paths based on the desired task-closure and error-handling behavior.

Example:

Let’s build and execute the “CloseOpenTasksDef” example.  

• Create a new process definition named “CloseOpenTasksDef” and open it in Designer mode. 
• Drag the “closeOpenTasks, checkListTask, choiceTask, and routeForm” steps to the canvas.
• Connect the dots between the “Start” step and the other steps shown above.
• Select the line between the steps to configure the “Connection Properties”. The default property values are “None, True, False, Error, and Evaluate”. Depending on the step’s purpose, you can configure additional values.
• Click the "closeOpenTasks" step to configure its "Required" properties. Enter a name for the step. Then click the Save button. Note: Click the "AI Predict" button to have the Copilot add new process steps that match your process description. 
   

• Click the "closeOpenTasks" step to configure its "Optional" properties. Then, select a task step from the drop-down list to configure it.   

• The “Logging” configuration is necessary for documentation and also measures workflow progress and percent complete. Configure the step state and percent fields individually, as shown below. Configure the “Logging” using the following properties.

• Save the process definition, create a new process instance, and execute it. The step should close all open tasks for the selected step type. If the step type is not configured, all open tasks for the current process instance will be closed.

Tips:

• Use Select step when a particular workflow step needs to be targeted.
• Leave Select step unconfigured when the workflow requires the general open-task closure behavior described by the step.
• Use meaningful workflow paths after the Close Tasks step.
• Connect the True path to the next activity when the task-closing operation succeeds.
• Connect the False path to appropriate alternative or error-handling logic.
• Test the workflow with process instances that contain open tasks.
• Verify the state of the relevant tasks after the step executes.
• When selecting a specific step, verify that the intended process step is selected.
• Consider placing the step in cancellation or termination paths where outstanding tasks need to be addressed.
• Test both True and False workflow paths before deploying the process.
• Avoid assuming that the optional Select step property is required; the XML explicitly defines it as required="false".

Definition Sample:

You may download the sample definition(s) from the link provided and later import them (drag-and-drop) into your FlowWright Process Definition (XML file) or Form Definition (HTML file) page. 

Note: After the import, verify and complete any missing configurations, such as file path references and database connections. Then, save the definition to confirm the changes. 

Click here to download the sample file.