An Approval activity may define multiple approver levels, each containing a separate list of approvers. Active Roles uses approver levels when escalating time-limited approval tasks. For each approver, level the Approval activity can specify a certain time period. If an approver of a given level does not complete the approval task within the specified time period, then Active Roles assigns the task to the approvers of the next level. This process is called escalation.
A valid Approval activity must specify a list of approvers for the initial approver level. Active Roles first assigns the approval task to the approvers of that level. To enable escalation, a separate list of approvers must be specified for the subsequent escalation level.
To configure escalation on the initial approver level
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Specify approvers for the initial approver level (for instructions, see Configure approvers).
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Verify that the Initial approver - level 0 item is selected in the Select approver level to configure box.
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Select one or both of these options:
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Approval task has a time limit of <number> days <number> hours: Specify the time period within which the initial approver has to complete the approval task.
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Allow approver to escalate approval task: When selected, allows the approvers of the initial level to reassign their approval tasks to the approvers of escalation level 1.
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If you have selected only the first option (a time limit for the task), then select the Escalate approval task to Escalation level 1 option. Otherwise, escalation is not enabled.
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In the Select approver level to configure box, click Escalation level 1.
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Specify approvers for escalation level 1 (for instructions, see Configure approvers).
Active Roles allows up to 10 escalation levels, each containing a separate list of approvers. You can configure escalation levels one after another to create an escalation chain. Thus, after you have configured escalation on the initial approver level, you can configure escalation on escalation level 1, then you can configure escalation on escalation level 2, and so on. As a result, you could achieve the following sequence of events:
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If the initial approvers do not complete the approval task on time, then the task is assigned to the approvers of escalation level 1.
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If the approvers of escalation level 1 do not complete the approval task within their time frame, the task is assigned to the approvers of escalation level 2 with the new time limit. This escalation chain may contain up to 10 escalation levels.
To configure escalation on a certain escalation level
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In the Select approver level to configure list, click the escalation level you want to configure.
To configure a particular escalation level, you must first specify approvers and enable escalation on the preceding approver level.
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Select one or both of these options:
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Approval task has a time limit of <number> days <number> hours: Specify the time period within which the initial approver has to complete the approval task.
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Allow approver to escalate approval task: When selected, allows the approvers of the current level to reassign their approval tasks to the approvers of the next level.
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If you have selected only the first option (a time limit for the task), then select the Escalate approval task to Escalation level <number> option. Otherwise, escalation is not enabled.
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In the Select approver level to configure box, click the item representing the subsequent escalation level.
For example, if you are configuring escalation level 1, click the Escalation level 2 list item.
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Specify approvers for the subsequent escalation level (for instructions, see Configure approvers).
NOTE: Each approver level has separate configuration, so the escalation options of a specific level apply only to that level. Therefore, each approver level has a separate time limit, the option that determines whether to escalate the approval task after the time limit has expired, and whether the approvers of that level are allowed to escalate the approval task manually.