Configure & Use the “Request More Info” Workflow in Activate
7 min
Overview
The Request More Info (RMI) feature in Activate allows task approvers to pause an approval and seek clarification or additional details from the requestor or another user before proceeding.
This is a standard ticketing workflow pattern that enables seamless collaboration and eliminates the need for external communication when dealing with incomplete or unclear task submissions.
Admins can configure this using:
- XML in the Workflow parameter, or
- GUI via Activate Studio
The setup is lightweight and flexible, and it can be applied to any task in Activate.
Who Can Use This?
- Administrators: Set up the RMI feature using Activate Studio or XML.
- Approvers: Trigger the request for more info from within their task approvals.
- Submitters: Receive and respond to info requests directly via the web app.
Setup Options for Admins
Option 1: XML Configuration
You can manually insert an <update> block in your workflow XML to allow RMI functionality.
<update type="inline" when="True" allowInfoUsers="1">
<users when="=if(=/Job/SubmitUser == //CurrentUser, true, false)"
form="=/Job/Task/Web.Form">=//CurrentUser</users>
<users when="=isInRole(=/Roles/System Roles/Service Desk, //CurrentUser)"
form="=/Job/Task/Approval.Web.Form">=//CurrentUser</users>
</update>
This XML:
- Grants editing rights to submitters and service desk users.
- Specifies different web forms for editing based on user context.

Option 2: GUI Configuration in Activate Studio
- Open Activate Studio.
- Navigate to your Task and open the Workflow editor.
- Click the approval step you want to add RMI to.
- Click "Additional Rights" in the right-hand pane.
- In the Approval Rightswindow:
- Check Editable
- Set When to True
- Choose Type: Inline Form
- Set the Form/Wizard path: =//Job/Task/Web.Form
- (Optional) Enable “Allow More Info Users to Update”
- Click OK to save.

What Happens in the Web Portal?
For Approvers
- On the Job view, the “Request More Info” button is available during task approval.
- The approver selects a user (e.g., submitter) and enters a note describing what’s needed.
- The approval is paused while waiting for additional input.
For Submitters (or Info Users)
- They are notified via email or alert.
- When they open the Job in the Activate Web App, a message will display indicating more information is requested.
- They complete the web form to supply the information and resubmit it.
- The task returns to the approver for review and approval.
Job Flow Summary
Submitter → Approver → [Requests More Info] → Submitter Updates → Approver Reviews → Approves/Declines
Best Practices
- Use descriptive messages in the RMI request to reduce back-and-forth.
- Keep form access scoped using when conditions in XML or form rules in the GUI.
- Test using a dummy task/job before applying to production tasks.