SharePoint Designer - Pause until

Question

I want to accomplish this using SharePoint Designer and OOTB features.

Requirement : List with details - employee name , start date , end date. 30 days prior to end date send an email , 15 days prior to end date send an email. On end date change , email should be send according to new end date.

Workflow : on item added and item created.

Solution (tried) : On item created, pause until [end date - 30] , once workflow comes out of pause ,send mail and pause for [end date - 15], workflow comes out of pause ,send mail.

Problem / Issue : Item created, workflow is on Pause till [end date-30]. If i change the end date , workflow remains in pause and does not refresh for new end date. I tried to get the steps to check weather end date has changed , if yes them stop the workflow. But how to start the workflow again.

Any other steps that I can follow to achieve the requirement?

Answer 1

Once you stop the workflow, the instance is terminated so you cannot restart. You cannot have effective solution for the problem using SharePoint designer out-of-box workflow activities.

There other solution you can consider :

1. Go for custom timer jobs instead of workflow.

2. Program a state machine workflow.

Answer 2

You need to run two actions in parallel: one that watches the date and the other that monitors changes. It is well explained here:

http://amarkeev.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/item-expiration-reminders-in-sharepoint-using-workflow/

Answer 3

First you start the workflow on item created and update event. Create a new hidden field in the list In Pause Until Date statement - update the hidden field This time the workflow for the update event execute Check the current date with end-date and send the mail

I think this will resolve your issue

Answer 4

I found a solution to the question I asked myself.

We can set a retention policy to start the workflow when the Date is reached condition is met.

I guess it's possible only in SP 2013.