help with an approval request workflow

[Jen11]

I have a catalog item to request to be added to a distribution list.  The workflow is as follows: 

Approval request goes to the owner of that distribution list, and once its approved it creates a TASK.  What my requirement is, if the owner of the distribution list is inactive, I would like the approver request to go the the owners manager for approval.  right now the workflow is getting stuck if the owner is inactive. 

thank you, 

[James Chun]

Hi @Jen11,

I assume you are using the 'Approval - User' activity within the workflow.

If so, you can use a script via selecting the 'Advanced' checkbox.

The script can be something like

if( distributionOwner.getValue('active') == false)
	{
		return distributionOwner.getValue('manager');
	}
else
	{
		return distributionOwner;
	}

A few things to note:

• This will not be 'perfect' as the approver's line manager may be inactive as well
• Consider creating a task for the admin to correct the owner of the DL with an active user
• Consider using 'approval delegation'
• Consider automation around reassigning or notifying the admin team when an owner of a DL goes inactive

Thanks