IBM BPM, V8.0.1, All platforms > Get started with IBM BPM > Key concepts > BPEL processes and human tasks > Human tasks overview > Task instances > Modification of task instance properties at run time

Changes to the timing of an escalation at run time

Sometimes a business situation requires that you change the timing of an escalation that was specified when the escalation was defined. The escalation state determines which of these times you can change, and when these actions can be taken. You can use the update method of the Human Task Manager API to modify the appropriate escalation property. You can also use the Tasks List widget or the Escalations List widget in Business Space to override the scheduled escalation time, and start an escalation immediately.

You can change the timing of the initial escalation and when the escalation repeats in one of the following ways:

• Using a specific time

• Using a duration, for example, 2 days, based on a calendar, such as a business calendar. You can also use the following constants in duration expressions:

  DURATION_INFINITE

  The initial escalation or the repeated escalations are canceled.

Initial escalation

You can use the escalationTime and the durationUntilEscalated properties to change the timing of an escalation. The escalation state determines which of these properties you can use.

Inactive state

In this state, you can override the duration until escalated value that was defined for the escalation by setting the durationUntilEscalated property to a valid value for the calendar that is used by the task. To prevent the escalation from starting, set the durationUntilEscalated property to DURATION_INFINITE.

Waiting state

In this state, you can reschedule the initial escalation or cancel it. You can reschedule the escalation by setting either the escalationTime property or the durationUntilEscalated property to a valid value for the calendar that is used by the task. To cancel the escalation, set the durationUntilEscalated property to DURATION_INFINITE.

You can also trigger the escalation manually using the Human Task Manager API triggerEscalation method.

Repeated escalations

If the task is in the escalated state and the expected task state has not yet been reached, you can use the escalationTime and the durationUntilRepeated property to change the timing of repeated escalations depending on the escalation state.

Inactive and waiting state

In this state, you can override the duration until repeated value that was defined for the escalation by setting the durationUntilRepeated property to a valid value for the calendar that is used by the task. To prevent the escalation from repeating, set the durationUntilRepeated property to DURATION_INFINITE.

Escalated state

In this state, you can reschedule the repetition of the escalation or cancel it. You can reschedule the repetition of the escalation by setting either the escalationTime property or the durationUntilRepeated property to a valid value for the calendar that is used by the task. To cancel the repetition, set the durationUntilRepeated property to DURATION_INFINITE.

Modification of task instance properties at run time

Related concepts:
Escalations