Subflows and stages - workaround

[Sitrix]

Hello good people 🙂

So, in the effort of converting existing workflows to flow designer, we have stumble on different issues - one of them being stages.

My understanding from reading different posts, is that you cannot set stage from within the sub flow, only the main. You can of cause change it through an "update action" (on the requested item) - or code - but in this case it will not show correct within list view (the sequence of steps).

1. How do people circumvent this limitation? We have sub flows with different stages, it simply doesn't make sense having to exit to main flow in order to set the stage.

2. We use to be able to create custom stages within a workflow which took precedence over regular choices within the stage field. Ex.

Request item stage field could have a choice called "Fulfilment" with value "fulfilment" - but within workflow you could have a stage called "somethingElse" with the value "fulfilment" - and it would still be "somethingElse" shown in the stage steps (list view).

Edit - this is still possible assuming its set in main flow.

As you can see, stage doesn't update when set via code. 

Any input on the matter is greatly appreciated - really curious on how everyone is handling this issue.

Cheers 🙂

[Logan Poynter]

Hello Sitrix,

Please see https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/sandiego-servicenow-platform/page/administer/flow-designer/task/a... for guidance on using Stages in Flow Designer. 

You can also define repeatable stage templates by going to stage_set_list.do and applying them in the following manner:

Please mark my answer as correct/helpful if it has helped you.

Thanks,
Logan

[Sitrix]

Hi Logan,

I understand how flows work - the issue is that your unable to handle them within a subflow.

[Logan Poynter · Accepted solution]

Hello Sitrix,

Stages are not meant to be applied or controlled with a subflow, only the main flow. There are performance impacts and administrative conflicts that can come from controlling stages via subflow: identifying where a stage came from, merging all stages and subflow stages into a singular flow, general maintenance of stages. 

If you absolutely need to control stages from a subflow, there is an attachment to the answer posted under this thread you can try but I would suggest re-evaluating business needs with stages at the flow level encapsulating the subflow action. https://community.servicenow.com/community?id=community_question&sys_id=b6d949731b563340ada243f6fe4b... 

Please mark my answer as correct/helpful if it has helped you.

Thanks,
Logan

[Sitrix]

Thanks for the answer Logan, though it makes me kinda sad.

Cheers 🙂