User Guide > Objects > Alphabetical Listing > Special Workflow Types

Special Workflow Types

You can define the order in which workflow tasks should be processed by linking them.

This description only applies to standard workflows. Tasks in IF and ForEach workflows are automatically linked. Therefore, they always have a predecessor and a successor.

Some specific rules apply if there are tasks that do not have a predecessor and/or successor:

The system only waits for a branch without a predecessor and/or successor (open branch) if the workflow is not part of another workflow.
A workflow can contain a sub-workflow with an open branch. The processing of the sub-workflow continues and finishes even if its open branch is still processing a task. The superordinate workflow continues as soon as this sub-workflow gets to its END object and does not block. Please note that the setting "Block and Abort Signal" (Dependencies tab), which sends messages to the superordinate workflow becomes obsolete when the superordinate workflow continues.
In workflows, you can also create completely open branches. These branches are then neither linked to the START object nor to the END object. They start when the workflow starts.
Forecast calculations for these special types of workflows also consider the open branches.

For example, you can use open branches for tasks that run rather long if you do not want to wait until they have ended.