Human Tasks - description being added into Timeline on completion

[Martyn Houghton]

Since a recent Service Manager update (we are now on build 979) the full text of the human task/activity is now being added into the timeline when the it is marked as completed along with the 'Reason' text.

As some of out human tasks have quite long descriptions to cover the actions/procedures involved this is making the timeline unreadable as the actual reason (text entered into when completing the task) and the outcome are pushed to the bottom of the update and not visible without using the show more option.

There is no need to include the full description of the task when recording it completion on the timeline as it is shown in the completed activities. 

Is there an option to turn this off either as a system wide setting or on the human task node in the BPM itself?

If not can this be raised as a urgent change request.

Cheers

Martyn

[Victor]

@Martyn Houghton we are working to have this functionality improved (i.e. higher degree of flexibility in configuring the timeline update for tasks).

[Martyn Houghton]

@Victor

Thanks that would be a great help. We have quite lone process descriptions in the human tasks which are not appropriate in our case to be shown in the timeline.

I can see where this could be used, but I think the option would be best to done at the BPM node level if possible so you can decided per tasks whether you want the dull description inserting in the the timeline.

Cheers

Martyn

[Guest Ehsan]

Hi @Martyn Houghton,

Thank you for sharing your concern. We added the description of an Activity to the Timeline, as this was a popular enhancement request by Hornbill users. In essence, the purpose of this is to improve the audibility of Activities within the Timeline. A number of Hornbill users felt that the Timeline entry does not present itself with adequate details about an Activity, without the need to click away to open the Activity pop-up.

Here's an example where I've over-populated the description. I can see that the Timeline entry provides me with the option to "Show More" or "Show Less" to keep the content within limit.

Now, I understand that this is causing you inconvenience and I guess in your case, the content of an Activity's description is typically pretty involved. I have asked the team to provide their thoughts on this. Perhaps we can control this behaviour via an Application Setting. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Ehsan

[Martyn Houghton]

@Ehsan

Thanks, the issue is that they can be customer view-able if the timeline entry is set to be customer visible,  as is in our workflow for all our existing requests.

I need to make a decision if I need to update all my human tasks in the BPM to sanitise the activity descriptions, but this would still only mitigate it for new requests after the change where made, therefore if you can give me an idea of a timescale if and when setting will be available.

Cheers

Martyn

[Guest Ehsan]

Hi @Martyn Houghton,

I've added the following Application Setting to hide the description of an Activity from the Timeline entry that is created on completion. Please note that this Application Setting will be enabled by default (so please turn it off) and this will only apply to Activities that are completed after you next update the Service Manager App.

We're hoping to make the next update of the Service Manager App available on Tuesday (20th June).

Thanks,

Ehsan

[Martyn Houghton]

@Ehsan

Thanks for the update and quick reaction to our request.

I will keep a lookout for the next build of Service Manager, so I can get this applied to our system.

Cheers

Martyn

 

[Victor]

@Martyn Houghton the SM build containing this functionality is now available for update in live instances.