Setting a Timeout

A timeout interrupts the processing of a running business process to allow specified actions to occur.

Timeout timer types

Timer type	Description
Absolute	Use to specify a specific point in time when the timeout will occur.
Relative	Use to specify the duration of time relative to when the flow enters the complex activity.

To set a timeout:

Click on the Business Process canvas to activate the Tool Palette.
Note
If the Tool Palette does not appear either on the Fast View shortcut bar or as an open view in the perspective, open the Tool Palette.
From the Exception Processing tool palette, drag and drop the Timeout activity into the complex activity that you want to set a timer for.
Either expand Properties in the Business Process Logic Page or open the Property Panels view.
The properties for the timeout are displayed.
Select either Absolute or Relative for the Timer type.
Select one of the following Timer details:
- Context
  1. Click in the Context Reference field.
    The Variable Reference dialog box. appears.
  2. Click Select adjacent to the Name field.
    The Variable Selection Dialog appears displaying a list of variables.
  3. Select the variable that you want to use and click OK.
  4. Click OK.
- Literal
  - If you selected an Absolute timer, type the duration of the timer.
  - If you selected a Relative timer, type the amount of time for the delay. This identifies the amount of processing time given to the complex activity before triggering the timeout.
Note
If you selected an Absolute timer, you must now create a timeout handler to respond to the processing that is to occur if a timeout occurs.