HumanTask

HumanTask refers to a unit of work within a workflow or business process that requires human judgment or action. Unlike automated tasks performed by software, a human task relies on a person or group to inspect information, make a decision, or perform data entry.

Modeling and execution: In BPMN 2.0, a User Task is a human task associated with a performer or a group, often linked to a data form. In other frameworks, human tasks may appear as tasks in a task list or queue and are delivered to individuals based on roles, workload, and escalation policies. The task has a lifecycle: creation, assignment, claiming, completion, possible revision, and audit trails. Time limits or SLA can trigger reminders or escalations.

Implementation considerations: Systems typically provide forms, data capture, annotations, and integration with identity and access management. There is a WS-HumanTask standard for defining and orchestrating human tasks in service-oriented architectures, and BPMN models commonly generate executable processes that include human tasks.

Common use cases include approvals, document review, exception handling, and data verification in domains such as finance, compliance, and customer support.

See also: BPMN, User Task, WS-HumanTask, workflow management, human-in-the-loop.