Auto closing tasks

Question

Hello guys,

I wanted to ask if there is any way in appian to execute a process if no action was taken after a certain period of time.
My scenario is very simple. I do have a process model that updates the task status to completed through a script task, save the changes with write records and sends an email notification afterwards.
What I am trying to achieve is changing the status to completed if no action/button click is taken in lets say a couple of days.

Stefan Helzle · Answer

This is what exceptions in user input tasks are made for. 
 https://docs.appian.com/suite/help/25.3/Process_Node_and_Smart_Service_Properties.html#exceptions-tab

Shubham Aware · Answer

Use an escalation timer on the user input task to auto-complete and send the email after the set time. Exceptions tab

Shubham Aware · Answer

Add a parallel gateway after the user input task. Path 1: Normal user completion. Path 2: Timer event set to 2 days -> Script task updates status, writes records, sends email -> Terminate event. This timer path will auto-complete the task without user interaction after 2 days, effectively handling timeout scenarios in parallel to user actions. Explained it properly in this link https://docs.appian.com/suite/help/25.3/Process_Node_and_Smart_Service_Properties.html#exceptions-tab

Harsha Sharma · Answer

If process has a task active then Exception path is the way to go! 
 You can configure Exception Path which basically times out the user input task. If user doesnt complete the task before Timer is triggered the system executes the Exception path. Generally I configure 1 hour timer and the exception path can have nodes (email/write records etc) followed by an End node 
 For your use case you can setup the write records node in the exception path which will update status to Completed and Ends the process. 
 
 If you dont have any active process and you want the system to change status to complete after few days depending on some value/status then you need to setup the process model as a Daily running batch job. Basically have the process get the cases you want to mark Complete and then update all the cases which fulfill the criteria. If on a given day no such cases are found process should end otherwise should update status and notify users as needed.