Multi step approval (subtasks) workflow in Asana

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1

I’m building a multi-step approval workflow in Asana using automation. The first approval is a subtask (assigned to someone like a Department Head).

:white_check_mark: When that subtask’s approval status is changed to “Approved”, I want the rule to trigger the creation of a second approval subtask, assigned to the Finance Head.

But this isn’t working. Even though the first subtask is marked as approved, the rule doesn’t run — and the next subtask doesn’t get created.

:magnifying_glass_tilted_left: I suspect the issue is because Asana rules don’t reliably trigger on subtasks, even though “Run on subtasks” is enabled.

Can you help me set this up step-by-step so that each approval in the chain (Dept → Finance → CEO) triggers properly, ideally still as subtasks, or using an effective workaround?

2

Welcome, @APVECO,

Approval type tasks, which generally work best as subtasks, are harder to use with automation than other approaches.

I’d explore using a custom task type for your project which specifies the stages the tasks go through, including those approval stages, and use to manually indicate approval, e.g., Departent Head Approves, and for automation.

It’s hard to go into detail on specific workflows in the Forum but perhaps that helps.

Thanks,

Larry

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