activitiesVariant of Task

Manual Task

A Manual Task represents work performed by a person without any process engine or application assistance. The process engine cannot track its progress-completion is reported externally.

Category
activities
BPMN Spec
Section 10.2.3
Icon Class
bpmn-icon-manual-task

What is a Manual Task?

A Manual Task is work performed entirely by humans without workflow system involvement. Unlike User Tasks where the engine assigns and tracks work, Manual Tasks happen outside the system-the engine simply waits for external notification of completion.

Visual Representation

A Manual Task shows a rounded rectangle containing a hand icon. The hand symbolizes human/manual work performed without system assistance.

Key Characteristics

  • No system involvement: Work happens outside any application or workflow system
  • External completion: Process engine waits for external signal that work is done
  • No worklist: Does not appear in task lists or assignment queues
  • Real-world actions: Represents physical activities that cannot be digitized

Common Use Cases

Physical Inspection

A quality inspector physically examines products on the manufacturing floor without using any digital checklist.

Phone Call

An employee makes a phone call to a customer; the system cannot track the conversation, only that it happened.

Equipment Setup

A technician configures physical equipment that has no digital interface for the workflow system.

Frequently Asked Questions

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