Create Branches in a Workflow
There are two basic types of branching you can use in your workflow templates:
- Fork Branch – the workflow takes one path, or it takes another (for example, either a P.O. is approved, or it isn’t)
- Parallel Branch – the workflow has tasks that can be completed simultaneously by different users (rather than sequentially)
Before You Begin
Before you can create branches, you need to create a workflow template. After that, how you proceed to branch depends on the needs of your workflow.
At the end of your branches, you can designate certain paths to trigger a cancel workflow event, and others to trigger a complete workflow event.
Create a Fork Branch
A fork branch is created using multiple action buttons. For example, if a web form contains an “Approve” button and a “Reject” button, a branch will be created. The path that the workflow takes after that point depends on which button the assignee clicks.
Create a Parallel Branch
When you use a parallel branch, the workflow proceeds down all of the paths simultaneously.
- In the workflow builder, click “Insert First Task” or click the + above or below an existing step where you want to create the branch.
- Choose “Event Task”, then “Parallel Branch”.
- In the right panel, you can modify the default task name, “Parallel Branch”. It’s a good idea to make your branch name descriptive and meaningful so that when workflows using this template are in progress, it’s easy to distinguish the current workflow step.
- By default, two branches are created:Â Branch A and Branch B.
- Click “Add Branch” if you need to add more branches.
- If you need to reorder how the branches appear in the builder, grab the branch and drag it up or down in the list of branches.
- Click the branch to rename it from “Branch A” or “Branch B” to something more meaningful.
- You can now add different task types as needed to each branch.