Activity
In ContactsLaw, the term activity is used to describe an action (e.g. "Create", "Edit", "Send") that can be performed on a particular item (contact, matter, document, etc). Activity names usually consist of a verb and the type of item on which they act.
Activities can be started manually; for example, from the ribbon or context menu commands in the Desktop App. You can also create tasks and appointments containing instructions to perform an activity. The user who commences the work then carries out the activity.
Some activities can only be performed on items which meet certain criteria. For example, "Process General Transaction" can only be performed on a transaction which has been authorised (or does not require authorisation) and will not appear if it is in any other state. Similarly, some activities can only be used to create new items (e.g. "Create Document"), while others can only be performed on existing items (e.g. "Finalise Document").
Timed Activities
At the subscription and business levels, you can configure which activities (if any) require time records. You can also specify how to construct the description (using expressions), which draws upon information about the activity and the item on which it operates.
Work Items
When an activity starts, a work item is created to track its progress and coordinate time recording (if required).
Work items:
- Prevent users from starting work that is already in-progress (e.g. started by someone else)
- Allow work to be resumed if the Desktop App closes, or from another location
- Link the time record to the task/appointment and instruction to perform the activity
- Track whether the activity runs to completion or is cancelled by the user
You can list work items in the Desktop App via the In Progress view under the File menu.
Indirect Activities
Some activities can be started from items of a different type than that on which they act. For example, "Start Process" acts on a process, but may also be started from an item that fulfils one of its assets (such as a document or matter).
These activities are usually presented separately from activities which act directly on the item.