Action flow configuration

For each action stage, you will be configuring who takes the action, managed by defining who the recipient of the initial action notification is sent to. You will also design the action forms by selecting which fields are displayed and editable to the user. Options are also available for you to display informational content about the action to the user which may include instructions, support information and the consequences of clicking either the Proceed or Stop action buttons.

Create an action flow stage

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Action flow > Settings
2. Click New action stage
   
   Note: for programs with multiple forms, choose your desired form from the drop-down that appears.
   
3. Give the action stage a name (this is for internal reference only, name it based on its purpose (i.e. Manager approval, Internal vetting, etc...)
4. Select whether the action stage is a task for a named user to complete or triggering a notification
   
   
   Important: to learn about regional regulations and limitations association with SMS, check out our dedicated guide: SMS limitations. 
5. Choose a Start stage option; this controls how the action stage is triggered
   
   
   • Stage is started by application submission will trigger the action flow to begin as soon as the applicant submits their application.
   • Started by another stage allows you to piggyback multiple actions onto one another.
   • Not selecting an option means that the action stage must be initiated manually.
6. Choose whether the action is to be conducted by a manager, or by a person nominated in the application (i.e. 3rd party person)
   
   
   • For action by manager(s), check all the managers who should be given the task.
     
     Note: if more than one manager is tasked, only one needs to complete it— once one manager has finished, it is then locked and another manager cannot change it. If you require e.g. two managers to take action, then set up two action stages sequentially (alternatively, you may consider a qualifying assessment stage instead).
   • For action by a person nominated in the application form, a name field and a recipient address field are required in the application fields
     
     Note: the recipient address field may be added as any of the following field types: email, phone number (for mobile numbers only), or a drop-down or radio button field in which the field's value is a valid email address or mobile number. SMS/mobile action tasks are a feature of the Enterprise plan. If the recipient is already a user in your account they must sign in to complete the task. 
     Note: if you have multiple people involved with action flow stages, consider also using automated tags. You can apply a specific tag to applications based on the decision made during each action stage. This will assist you, greatly, with management tasks such as searching for applications, analysis activities and on-going follow-up activities.
7. If you have a notification prepared for this action stage already, select it under Send stage start notification— otherwise leave it blank and you can come back and add it later, ensuring that the {review_url} merge field is included.
   
   If the action is an internal task, such as by grant managers, you can choose not to send a notification as managers can access all requests via Action flow > Manage tasks or Action applications from the main menu, however, no notification means no one is notified, therefore, grant managers will need to periodically visit the 'Manage actions' view to see if there are any new actions requiring attention.
   

Configure what the reviewer gets to see

On the Action page tab, select which fields to show to the user/reviewer. Field access is a list of all application fields in order of appearance (tab then field order).

• Fields marked as 'Read' will be visible to the task recipient.
• Fields marked as 'Write' will be editable by the task recipient.
• Fields marked as 'Required' must have input whether this be by the task recipient or the original applicant. 

If you have informative and/or instructional content already prepared in a content block with the location 'Action flow page' for this stage, select it from the Content block dropdown list— otherwise, leave it blank and you can come back and add it later. For instructions on creating a content block, see our dedicated guide. 

Configure the 'Proceed' and 'Stop' action buttons

On the Proceed/Stop tab, add the button labels for the Proceed action and Stop action buttons, these are the text-based names applied to the buttons and seen by the end-user/reviewer. The Process status and Stop status is required, too, you will need to complete the status fields before the system will let you save.

The Proceed status and Stop status are used to help you find and manage the decisions as applied by the end-user/reviewer. Make sure each action stage you create has unique Proceed and Stop status values.

The Hide stop action will prevent a user from seeing or interacting with the stop action button, requiring them to proceed

The Validate fields will verify that all fields have been completed correctly if the user selects the stop action 

Create review notifications

Notifications across the Good Grants platform are configured in the same way, via Settings > Communications > Notifications. The only difference here is the trigger selected. Choose from Action stage started or Action stage completed depending on your needs. To learn more about notifications, see our dedicated guide: Ultimate guide to notifications.

Add informational content to review pages

1. In the Manage workspace, go to Content > Content blocks
2. Create a New content block
3. Choose the content location Action flow page
4. After creating and saving your content, return to the action stage configuration to choose the content block so it can be displayed on the action page for the user to see

Set the action flow deadline

To define when the action flow task must be completed by the reviewer, you'll need to set an deadline. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings > Applications > Rounds in the Manage workspace
2. Click on your program's application round (named 'Application open period' by default)
3. Set a Review / resubmission ends date and time
4. Click Save when finished

View and export action flow data

All data collected during the action flow process is stored within an application itself, but is not accessible by the applicant or applicant views like the applicant PDF. Should you need to view or export this data, you have a few options.

• Navigate to Applications in the Manage workspace and click on the application to see the data
• Create an export via the Applications view; see: Ultimate guide to exports
• Download a PDF that includes the application flow data; see: Downloading a PDF that includes action flow data

Video overview