Tip #1052: Recurring tasks in Dynamics 365

How can I do recurring tasks in Dynamics 365?

While Dynamics 365 does not include an official “recurring” task like it does with appointments, it can still be done. Here is one approach to creating a weekly recurring task:

  1. Create an entity called “Task Schedule.” Include the relevant fields like owner/assigned to, next scheduled, subject, description, end date. Populate next scheduled with the first task instance due date, and end date with when the series should end.
  2. Create a workflow that runs on create of task schedule and on update of the next scheduled date:
    1. Wait condition timeout 1 minute after next scheduled.
    2. Check condition is workflow execution time less than end date.
    3. If so, create task setting due date to 1 week from next scheduled date and mapping the fields from the task schedule record.
    4. Update task schedule “next scheduled” with the due date from the task created in step 3.

So yes, it can be done. The above approach could be expanded to handle different types of frequencies (monthly, semi-annually, etc).

But should it be done? Personally, I am not a fan of recurring tasks, and the standard warnings about over-use of wait conditions applies.

Photo by Ambitious Creative Co. – Rick Barrett on Unsplash

4 thoughts on “Tip #1052: Recurring tasks in Dynamics 365

  1. Natraj says:

    Reminds me of Yaniv’s post, regarding setting up recurring workflows http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/rdt/2012/09/30/asynchronous-batch-process-pattern-part-2/

  2. M says:

    Hi, I don’t see the “next scheduled” and “end date” field.

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