flow designer is not triggering an approval

[alexrozov]

Hi,

I'm building a new flow for a service request.

I'm trying to add an approval and I was able to defined the approval.

when I activate the flow and create a new request the approval is not triggered.

But if I go to flow designer, test and I put in the RITM I just created the flow runs OK and does create the approval task.

I can't figure out why this works in test but will not work when I run a real scenario.

Of course I have validated the flow is activated

Any idea would be helpful.

[Sukraj Raikhraj]

check the execution log and see if that step is getting fired or initiated or skip.

on Flow designer, check on the execution tab, search for name of the flow and review the steps.

[alexrozov]

When I go to flow designer and the executions I can only see executions that I did as test.

so the problem is not within the flow but that the flow is not triggering.

I have looked again and the flow is activated.

and my catalog item is referencing the flow - just double checked

any idea what I might be missing that is causing the flow not to trigger?

[Viraj Hudlikar · Accepted solution]

Hi @alexrozov 

I found a business rule that triggers the Flow for the requested item table: Start FlowDesigner Flow.

I found a useful blog, Which came first, the Request or the Requested Item?, by Christopher. 

 Although the blog is 4+ years old and discusses workflows, it helped me understand all the moving parts needed to trigger the flow from a catalog item.

We had a few customizations that added some complications, but the crux of it is that the Requested Item needs to be in the request_approved stage.

After modifying our custom business rule and workflow, I can now trigger my flow from a Catalog Item.  

Mark Correct if this solves your issue and also hit Like and Helpful if you find my response worthy based on the impact.

Thanks & Regards,
Viraj Hudlikar.

[alexrozov]

Hi,

This was it.

in the instance I'm working on the RITM is created in "waiting for approval" stage and not the "request approved" stage and therefore the BR did not trigger.

looking at the cascade approval to RITMs on the request table:

when there is a flow it is not doing anything as the script is built to check for workflow and delivery plan.

If there is no workflow and no delivery plan it just does nothing. This actually looks like something ServiceNow might have forgotten to handle.

In any case, once I have changed the condition on the start flowDesigner BR on the RITM table my flow is now triggered correctly 🙂