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Return for Change in Workflows

Send a workflow back to a previously completed step, freeze first-pass snapshots, and redo activities.

Written by James Ross

Overview

Return for Change lets you rewind a workflow to a previously completed step. This is useful when corrections are needed — the workflow goes back, the assignee redoes the work, and first-pass completions are preserved as frozen snapshots.

Quick Steps

  • Open the workflow detail and navigate to the execution timeline.

  • Click Return for Change.

  • Select the return target — a list of completed steps with assignee names is shown.

  • Enter a reason for the return - make sure that the assignee will understand what needs to be done in the return.

  • Click Confirm.

What Happens

  • The workflow rewinds to the selected step.

  • First-pass completed steps are frozen as snapshots — they remain visible in the timeline but are locked.

  • The returned-to step shows a Returned badge and becomes Current.

  • Subsequent steps show as Incomplete until redone.

  • A new task is created for the returned-to step's assignee.

After Returning

  • The assignee completes the step again.

  • The step moves to Completed (second pass).

  • First-pass snapshot rows remain visible in the timeline for audit purposes.

  • The audit trail records the return with the reason and frozen snapshot data.

When Return for Change Is Not Available

Return for Change is not available when:

  • The workflow is at the first activity with no completed steps to return to.

  • The workflow is in a terminal state (Completed, Cancelled, or Rejected).

Important: Return for Change requires Manage permission on the workflow.

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