The document summarizes new features and changes in SharePoint 2013 workflows, including: - Workflows 2013 separates the workflow platform from SharePoint server and requires an external workflow manager hosted on Azure. - The new workflow type is a hybrid of sequential and state machine workflows with stages containing sequential activities and conditional transitions. - Several new workflow activities are introduced while many actions from 2010 workflows are missing. - Development requires installing the workflow manager and service bus. Designer workflows can now be exported and moved, but reusable workflows cannot be associated with content types. - Overall, the 2013 workflows are more development friendly but lack out-of-the-box functionality and the old development approach does not work

1. Sergei Leshchenko
Lead SharePoint Developer
SharePoint Workflows 2013.
What’s new?

2. • User unfriendly
• Limited number of OOB activities
• Development tools inconvenience
• Mostly Visual Studio WF development
• Entry level is high
• Using third-party party system is preferable
Main problems with Workflows 2010

3. Workflows 2013 architecture

4. • Workflow platform is separated from
SharePoint Server
• External workflow manager is required
• Workflow manager is designed to be hosted
in Azure
• Workflow 2010 is still available
Workflows 2013 architecture main features

5. • Code and workflow are separated
• Workflows are declarative. Code activity is
missing
• All Non-standard functionality should be
implemented in Web Services
• Workflow is an App
Workflows 2013 new development rules

6. Only one workflow type left : hybrid of
Sequential and State Machine Workflows:
• Stages with conditional transitions
• Stage contains activities running in
sequential order
• Automatic workflow status setting based on
current stage
Workflows 2013 types

7. Assign a Task
Start a Task Process
Go to This Stage
Call HTTP Web Service
Start a List Workflow
Start a Site Workflow
Build DynamicValue
New workflow activities
Get Property from DynamicValue
Count Items in DynamicValue
Trim String
Find Substring in String
Replace Substring in String
Translate Document
Set Workflow Status
Loops support
Parallel task assignments support
Dictionary variables type

8. What is missing
Actions:
Stop Workflow
Capture a Version of the Document Set
Send Document Set to Repository
Set Content Approval Status for the Document
Set
Start Document Set Approval Process
Declare Record
Set Content Approval Status
Undeclare Record
Add List Item
Inherit List Item Parent Permissions
Remove List Item Permissions
Replace List Item Permissions
Lookup Manager of a User
Assign a Form to a Group
Assign a To-Do Item
Collect Data from a User
Start Approval Process
Start Custom Task Process
Start Feedback Process
Copy List Item (SharePoint Designer 2013
supports only the document-copying action.)
Conditions:
If current item field equals value
Check list item permission levels
Check list item permissions
Steps:
Impersonation Step:
Data sources:
User Profile lookup
Other features:
Visio integration
Association Column
Content Type Association for reusable
workflow
'Require Manage List/Web Permission' feature
for list/site workflow
Globally reusable workflow type
Workflow visualization option

9. • Activity Copy and Paste
• Visio integration
• Extended workflows export support
SharePoint Designer workflow development

10. 1. Install Workflow manager and Service Bus
2. Create Workflow manager farm
3. Register Workflow service
4. Profit!
Workflows 2013 development. Getting started

11. • Give Workflow app Full Control permissions
• Use REST API to implement missing activities
• Give “Edit item” permissions at Web level to
start workflows
• Check if user has edit permissions when
“Automatically change workflow state” is
active.
Typical problems and solutions

12. Pros:
• More development friendly
• SharePoint designer can be used as
development tool
• Easier to implement real-life workflows
• Designer workflows can be moved
Summary

13. Cons:
• Not working out of the box
• Reusable workflows can’t be associated with
Content Type
• Important activities missing
• Old development approach doesn’t work
Summary

14. The End