Using workflow in the control panel

Most of your workflow configuration is done via the control panel. Everything you need to do in the portal can be done through simple GUI controls.

Figure 6.3: Adding a Workflow Definition

You can find the Workflow section under the Portal heading in the control panel. There are three options under Workflow: Definitions, Default Configuration, and Submissions.

If you created a new workflow definition, you need to add it so it can be used in the portal. Click Definitions. By default, only the Single Approver workflow appears here. Clicking Add allows you to enter a title for a new workflow definition and upload the XML file. Once you add a file here, it's added to the portal and is immediately available for use.

Under Default Configuration, you can set the workflow behavior (if any) for all workflow-enabled applications on the portal. You can choose to use no workflow, which is the default, or select any installed workflow definition. Setting the default configuration causes any newly created sites to default to that configuration. An administrator can then edit the definitions for each one individually through the Workflow Configuration page.

Clicking on Submissions will let you view any currently pending assets, or any assets which were previously approved.

Configuring workflow

After you have uploaded workflow definitions and set the default workflow behavior you can go up to Workflow Configuration and tweak the definitions that you're using for each site individually.

Figure 6.4: The Workflow Configuration Page

Using the context selector drop-down menu in the control canel, you can select any site in the portal. All the options under that heading, including Workflow Configuration, now apply to that particular site.

Using workflow is just as easy.

My Workflow Tasks

My Workflow Tasks is a personalized version of the Workflow Tasks, and it's found in your personal section of the control panel. Here are specific tasks which have been assigned to you or assigned to a role of which you are a member. You can also view your completed tasks.

Figure 6.5: My Workflow Tasks Page

It's here that workflow users review and approve content. By clicking on the actions next to a piece of content, a user can view that content and then choose to approve or reject it and add comments.

My Submissions

My Submissions is found under your user's personal information in the control panel. From this screen you can view any assets that you have submitted to review. Those that are currently under review are listed under the Pending tab, and those that have gone through the review process are listed under the Completed tab.

Figure 6.6: The My Submissions Page

Besides viewing your work, you can also withdraw a submission from the review process by clicking on Withdraw Submission from the Pending tab.n.